The Federal Government has renewed its appeal for stronger collaboration among member states of the Economic Community of West African States to address rising cases of terrorism, transnational crime, and other security threats affecting border communities across the region.
The call was made by the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji, during the annual stakeholders’ meeting on ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation held in Abuja.
The regional gathering, organised by the ECOWAS Commission, brought together delegates from several West African countries including Nigeria, Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Details of Adaji’s remarks were contained in a statement released in Abuja by the Head of Information, Press and Public Relations of the commission, Chinwe Udouwem.
Adaji stressed the importance of deeper cooperation among ECOWAS nations to effectively combat terrorism, illegal migration, smuggling, and other forms of cross-border criminal activities threatening peace and stability within the sub-region.
According to him, stronger regional integration would improve intelligence sharing, enhance joint security operations, and encourage sustainable socio-economic growth in border communities.
Represented at the meeting by Dr Farouk Tarfa, the commission’s Head of Cross Border Cooperation, Adaji noted that Nigeria was the first country in West Africa to establish the ECOWAS Cross Border Cooperation programme.
He explained that Nigeria embraced the initiative because of its strategic role in addressing complex border challenges, strengthening security efforts, and fostering peaceful coexistence among neighbouring communities.
Adaji stated that the programme was designed to harness the shared cultural and social ties that exist among communities located along international borders.
He added that the initiative also supports collaborative development projects and encourages the joint management and utilisation of resources shared by neighbouring countries.
According to him, the programme has also created opportunities for member states to combine resources in providing essential services and tackling transboundary health challenges affecting populations across the region.
He further noted that the framework promotes coordinated security operations aimed at maintaining peace, enhancing stability, and creating an enabling environment for economic development in border areas.
Adaji recalled that ECOWAS Heads of State and Government formally adopted the concept of cross-border cooperation in January 2006 as part of broader regional integration efforts.
The decision later paved the way for the establishment of the ECOWAS Cross Border Cooperation Programme by ministers responsible for border-related matters within the member states.