The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has called for enhanced collaboration among police forces across its 15 member states as part of renewed efforts to strengthen regional security frameworks and better respond to evolving threats in West Africa.
This was the focal point of discussions at the ECOWAS Police Focal Point Officers Meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja, where senior security officials and representatives gathered to assess ongoing progress and chart a path forward for police participation in the ECOWAS Standby Force.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel Moussa, the Acting Head of Peace Support Operations, Dr. Sani Adamu, stressed the urgency of a coordinated and dynamic response to the region’s growing security challenges.
“Whether it’s cyberattacks, cross-border crime, or broader regional threats, the need for integrated policing strategies is more critical than ever,” he said.
He highlighted the multidimensional nature of the ECOWAS Standby Force, which includes police, military, and civilian components, and emphasized the importance of ensuring police units are adequately trained and deployment-ready for peace support operations.
“We must recognise that true security is not only about arms and strategy, but about harnessing our collective strengths to sustain peace,” he added.
He cited Sierra Leone as an example of effective inter-agency coordination, underscoring the success of joint operations at the borders in tackling transnational crime.
Adamu also used the platform to call on member states to contribute actively to the refinement of a unified, robust regional policing strategy, emphasizing that feedback from focal point officers would help shape a more adaptive and responsive security mechanism.
Chairing the meeting, Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police, William Sellu ,represented by his Deputy, Sahr Senesi reiterated the need for a standardised, operationally ready police roster capable of swift deployment in times of crisis.
“The threats confronting West Africa today demand unified, professional, and proactive responses,”
“The outcome of this workshop should be a living tool that boosts our collective capacity to respond, restore order, and uphold the dignity of our people.” he said.
He further stressed the importance of structural readiness and interoperability between national police institutions to ensure seamless cooperation during regional operations.
Representing Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, ACP Aniagboso Chinedum welcomed the delegates and described the gathering as a platform to foster both strategic dialogue and lasting inter-agency relationships.
“I had looked forward to this meeting not just to discuss the agenda, but to rekindle old ties and forge new ones as we collectively push for deeper security integration in our sub-region,” he stated.
Chinedum also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of police focal units and individual officers to play key roles in peace support initiatives across ECOWAS.
The meeting is seen as a significant step in enhancing police readiness under the ECOWAS security framework and in reinforcing solidarity among West African nations in the face of shared security threats.
