Nigeria Tightens Security With EU, INTERPOL’s WAPIS Platform

The Federal Government has officially received the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) platform and infrastructure from the European Union and INTERPOL, marking a significant step in strengthening security cooperation across Nigeria and the West African region.

At a ceremony held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, received the platform from INTERPOL’s Executive Director of Police Services, Cyril Gout. The handover signifies the formal transfer of the fully operational system, which will assist law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational crime through improved data sharing and collaboration.

Gaidam described the event as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to regional security and a milestone in ongoing efforts to build a robust, data-driven policing architecture. “This platform strengthens our national capacity to fight organized crime, terrorism, human trafficking, and other security threats through seamless information exchange among law enforcement bodies,” he said.

He highlighted the role of the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Nigeria Police Force in driving the program since Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding with INTERPOL in 2019. This collaboration has since led to the renovation and launch of the Data Collection and Registration Centre (DACORE) at the Nigeria Police Headquarters, inaugurated in May 2021.

Gaidam, who chairs the WAPIS National Committee (WANACO), noted that the project has involved key security agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, EFCC, NDLEA, Nigerian Navy, NAPTIP, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigeria Correctional Service, with the Police acting as the lead agency.

He revealed that a detailed budget proposal has already been submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s office to ensure sustained implementation, including investments in internet connectivity and training for the effective operation of the system.

The Minister also referenced a recent three-day workshop on interagency collaboration, which brought together top law enforcement agencies to enhance cooperation and improve the effectiveness of data sharing. The outcomes of the workshop have been presented to the Federal Executive Council.

In his remarks, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, stated that the EU had invested over €380 million into WAPIS across the region to help modernize security infrastructure and establish centralized, secure police databases