Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and INTERPOL strengthen collaboration using advanced technology and cross-border data systems, including the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) under plans by Nigeria to deepen its digital fight against transnational crime.
Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General of the NIS, who disclosed while is hosting Mr. Cyril Gout, Executive Director of Police Services at INTERPOL’s General Secretariat in Lyon, France, in Abuja this week.
Gout says that the INTERPOL is exploring joint strategies to enhance border control and national security. “This meeting signifies a renewed commitment to enhancing international cooperation in addressing contemporary border security challenges,” NIS says in an official statement.
Gout reaffirms INTERPOL’s resolve to assist West African nations, “particularly Nigeria in tackling the scourge of documents counterfeiting and enhancing Border Control mechanisms.” He underscores the role of technology in “detecting counterfeit travel documents and dismantling transborder criminal networks.”
At the centre of this collaboration is WAPIS — a regional criminal data-sharing platform developed by INTERPOL and funded by the European Union — which is now officially being adopted by Nigeria’s Ministry of Police Affairs.
IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, who also heads the West African Chiefs of Police Committee (WAPCCO), says Nigeria is “leveraging all three levels of WAPIS to their maximum potential” to combat crime.
The system, already active in several ECOWAS countries, allows law enforcement agencies real-time access to biometric and criminal records. “The WAPIS system is strategically designed to strengthen police information systems throughout the region by harmonising data management practices,” ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer says in a statement seen by Technology Times.
WAPIS, INTERPOL explains, helps fight cross-border crimes like drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, and terrorism. “Improving security in West Africa is therefore of global interest,” the agency says, noting that the region’s Atlantic access makes it a key corridor for international criminal networks.
Comptroller General Nandap says the NIS is intensifying collaboration with global partners to improve border intelligence. “Timely data sharing is crucial to managing migration data effectively and strengthening our borders,” she says.
With technology increasingly shaping law enforcement across West Africa, both Nigeria and INTERPOL say their ongoing partnership signals a new era of data-driven crime fighting and enhanced regional security coordination.
10 FAQs: What you should know about WAPIS
- What is WAPIS?
WAPIS (West African Police Information System) is a regional criminal data-sharing system developed by INTERPOL for ECOWAS countries.
- Who funds WAPIS?
The European Union has financed WAPIS through various funding instruments since its launch in 2012.
- What crimes does WAPIS help combat?
It tackles cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, terrorism, human trafficking, and smuggling.
- How does WAPIS work nationally?
It provides a digital police information system that helps countries manage data on suspects, weapons, cases, and more.
- What is the regional function of WAPIS?
It connects national databases in ECOWAS countries to enable secure, real-time information sharing among law enforcement.
- What is the global link of WAPIS?
Through INTERPOL’s I-24/7 network, participating countries share authorised data with global law enforcement partners.
- Why is WAPIS important for Nigeria?
It enhances Nigeria’s capacity to fight crime by improving border management and regional coordination.
- Which Nigerian agencies use WAPIS?
The Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Immigration Service are primary users, coordinated by the Ministry of Police Affairs. - What makes WAPIS different from traditional systems?
Its real-time data access and regional integration allow for faster investigations and broader crime analysis. - Is WAPIS open to the public?
No. It is a secure system used exclusively by authorised law enforcement agencies.
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