The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has urged for greater regional cooperation to tackle illegal arms trafficking and enhance election security throughout Africa.

Disu made this appeal on Monday in Abuja while inaugurating a five-day Small Arms and Light Weapons Identification and Tracing (SALW-IT) Simulation Program set to take place from October 12 to 16, 2026.

This program aims to boost the skills of participants in identifying, marking, registering, and tracing small arms, light weapons, and ammunition.

Advertisement

Participants from Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Mali, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Niger, Libya, Benin, and the Republic of the Congo are taking part in this training. The sessions include both technical instruction and hands-on exercises at the Nigeria Police Simulation Centre.

The IGP pointed out that the spread of illegal arms poses a significant threat to peace and security across Africa. He noted that it contributes to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and organized crime.

He mentioned that effective weapon tracing would allow investigators to uncover trafficking networks, identify funders and supply routes. This would enable focused actions against illegal arms dealers.

Disu also emphasized how important this training is for Nigeria’s upcoming elections. He stated that efforts to disrupt illegal arms supplies could help prevent electoral violence and intimidation while protecting voters and election staff. This would create an atmosphere suitable for peaceful, free, and fair elections.

Advertisement

He added that the knowledge and skills gained during this program would be shared through structured training and knowledge-sharing initiatives across various police commands and units.

He stated that the initiative would enhance officers’ ability to spot, trace, and recover weapons, create useful intelligence, and assist with everyday policing and election security tasks.

The police chief also urged for stronger teamwork at both regional and continental levels through timely sharing of information, coordinated investigations, and mutual help in finding and legally capturing suspects involved in crimes that cross borders.

He emphasized that working together through established legal and institutional methods is essential to prevent criminals from using national borders to escape justice.

Advertisement

Disu revealed that police inspectors-general from West and East African countries would gather to discuss crime-related topics and come up with plans to address cross-border criminal activities.

He mentioned that these discussions would lead to better coordinated responses to common security problems across the regions.

The IGP praised the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), INTERPOL, relevant African Union organizations, and experts from the German Armed Forces Verification Centre for their support of the program.

He encouraged participants to share their operational experiences, build lasting professional connections, and use the knowledge gained to boost security in their own countries.

Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to regional and continental arms control efforts, promising ongoing institutional support and cooperation to turn training into enhanced public safety and election security.