Ghana and Nigeria have strengthened their security cooperation with a renewed pledge to intensify joint action against human trafficking and other cross-border crimes that continue to threaten stability across the subregion.
The commitment followed a high-level bilateral meeting held in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, co-chaired by Ghana’s Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, and Nigeria’s Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Sadiq Idris Abubakar. Senior representatives from law enforcement, immigration, intelligence, and diplomatic agencies from both countries attended the session.
Discussions centred on new patterns of human trafficking, the growing relationship between trafficking networks and cyber-enabled crime, and the escalating number of victims across the sub-region.
Both sides agreed to establish a Joint Task Force to oversee cross-border trafficking investigations, appoint focal officers to facilitate rapid information exchange, and set standard procedures for victim repatriation and referral.
The two police services will also launch joint public awareness campaigns targeting young people and communities along border routes.
Additionally, Ghana and Nigeria will push for a high-level gathering of West African police chiefs to harmonise regional security strategies and reinforce collective action against trafficking networks.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a communiqué underscoring the shared resolve of both nations to dismantle trafficking syndicates, safeguard victims, and deepen long-term cooperation under ECOWAS and INTERPOL frameworks.
