By Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani
Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, says the UN is ready to support regional policing initiatives that promote border security, peace and stability across West Africa.
Jimoh, Chairman of the UN General Assembly Fifth Committee on Budget and Administration, spoke while receiving the Inspector-General of Police of Nigeria, Tunji Disu at Nigeria House, New York
The Nigerian diplomat also received the Inspector-General of Police of The Gambia, Seedy Touray, and the Minister of Interior for Belgium, Bernard Quintin.
He described worsening insecurity across the Sahel and neighbouring countries as a major threat capable of destabilising the West African sub-region.
According to him, the challenge requires bold regional innovations, stronger collaboration and technology-driven policing beyond national borders.
He proposed establishing a specialised West African border police force with a common uniform, improved remuneration, modern technology and performance-based incentives.
“Forty-six per cent of violent incidents occur within 100 kilometres of land borders, while over 90 per cent of migration in West and Central Africa is inter-regional,” Jimoh said.
He stressed that the statistics underscored the urgency of coordinated, integrated and evidence-based border governance to strengthen regional security.
“Cross-border cooperation is imperative if the region must effectively confront terrorism, organised crime and other transnational security threats,” he added.
The ambassador urged Disu to champion a UN-backed Regional Stability Initiative aimed at enhancing peace, security and development across West Africa.
He noted that the United Nations spends more than eight billion dollars annually on global peacekeeping operations.
He urged regional police authorities to modernise their operational capabilities and embrace proactive peacekeeping strategies consistent with global security standards.
The UN budget chairman also commended the Inspector-General for advancing Nigeria’s State Police initiative as a strategic response to persistent insecurity.
“The United Nations stands ready to support President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to combat insecurity through the State Police mechanism,” Jimoh said.
He expressed confidence that strengthened regional cooperation, modern policing and sustained UN partnership would enhance peace, border stability and sustainable development across West Africa. (NAN)