In a landmark move to bolster regional security, the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) has officially been handed over to national and regional authorities across West Africa. The handover, formalized at a high-level ceremony in Abuja, marks a new era of local ownership in the fight against organized crime and terrorism.
Launched in 2012 with funding from the European Union and technical support from INTERPOL, WAPIS has been a cornerstone in regional efforts to combat transnational threats. The system allows secure, real-time sharing of police data among ECOWAS Member States, enhancing coordination and intelligence-driven policing. Today, with over 700,000 digitized records, WAPIS has become an indispensable tool for law enforcement agencies across the continent and beyond.
“This is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter,” said Cyril Gout, INTERPOL’s Executive Director for Police Services, reaffirming the agency’s continued support. “We stand with West Africa as it takes full ownership of this vital system.”
Representing Nigeria, the host nation, Minister of Police Affairs Dr. Ibrahim Gaidam emphasized the country’s commitment to ensuring the system’s sustainability. “WAPIS is a vital part of our security framework,” he noted, pledging Nigeria’s support for its future operations.
Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, hailed the transition as a symbol of political resolve. “This system is not just about data—it’s a legacy of collaboration and a pledge to secure our future,” he said, representing ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Gautier Mignot, praised the collaboration that brought WAPIS to life. “The EU’s investment in this project reflects our deep commitment to a safer and more integrated West Africa,” he stated.
The event also featured key stakeholders including ECOWAS Programme Officer Dr. Isaac Armstrong, INTERPOL WAPIS Head Richard Gotwe, Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, and ECOWAS WAPIS Programme Coordinator Mohamed Yansaneh. Each played a role in underscoring the importance of shared responsibility and technical capacity in sustaining the platform.
As WAPIS transitions from international stewardship to regional control, it serves as a powerful example of how strategic partnerships and institutional trust can yield sustainable solutions to complex security challenges.
