ECOWAS Police Chiefs to meet in Mali, April 16, 17 on strategic patrolling of region

A statement issued by Sunny Ugoh, ECOWAS acting director of communication, had indicated that ECOWAS police chiefs will meet in Bamako, Mali on April 16 and April 17 to deliberate on strategies to strengthen the region’s capacity in combating transnational crime.

The meeting of the technical sub-committee of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) is believed would foster cooperation among police officers specialised in training and operations across the region.

The statement stated that the meeting was aimed at strengthening the regional capacities to combat organised crime.

It would also examine the implementation status of the recommendations of the previous General Assembly of WAPCCO.

It will deliberate on joint police operations for information exchange, experience sharing on best practices on police training and operations.

It stated that the vastness and porosity of West Africa’s terrestrial borders and proximity to the Sahel had made the region a transit zone for various trafficking activities.

It stated that other crime challenges facing the region, included the presence of terrorist and illegal armed groups, drug and human trafficking networks, proliferation of arms and ammunition and money laundering.

It stressed that combating transnational crime demanded the pooling of resources at national, regional and global levels.

WAPCCO was created as a specialised institution and consultative body for Regional Police Cooperation, to serve as a platform for combating crime and other security threats in the region.