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West African Action Network on Small Arms, WAANSA, has called for urgent action to strengthen Nigeria’s border security architecture to tackle the burgeoning security challenges bedeviling the country.
WAANSA made the call in a press statement issued during a public hearing and stakeholders engagement of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking at the National Assembly in Abuja.
WAANSA noted that such step is critical in addressing drug trafficking and substance abuse across the country.
The hearing was convened in line with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to investigate drug trafficking, substance abuse, and the regulation of alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries in Nigeria.
The organisation noted that porous borders and weak coordination among border management agencies had continued to fuel the influx of illicit drugs, precursor chemicals, and other contraband into the country.
According to WAANSA, these illicit flows not only worsen substance abuse and public health challenges but also contribute significantly to insecurity and organised crime
Speaking at the event, the deputy national secretary of WAANSA, Mrs. Stella Onyinyechi Okereke noted that drug trafficking thrives in environments where border governance is weak.
Okereke further explained that the same trafficking routes used for illicit drugs were often exploited for the smuggling of small arms and light weapons, human trafficking, and other criminal activities that threaten national stability.
She stressed that drug trafficking is closely linked to other forms of transnational organised crimes and should be addressed through a comprehensive and intelligence-driven border security strategy.
The WAANSA secretary called for stronger inter-agency collaboration among the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and other relevant security institutions.
WAANSA also urged the federal government to invest in modern border surveillance technologies, strengthen data sharing among security agencies, and improve regulatory oversight of pharmaceutical and chemical supply chains to prevent diversion for illicit use. The organisation further highlighted the importance of engaging border communities as partners in intelligence gathering and early warning mechanisms.
At the regional level, WAANSA called for deeper cooperation among ECOWAS member states, noting that Nigeria’s borders are shared security spaces.
The group also advocated harmonisation of laws, joint border patrols, and coordinated intelligence sharing to effectively disrupt cross-border drug trafficking networks.
It commended the House of Representatives for convening the public hearing and providing a platform for inclusive stakeholder engagement, reaffirming its commitment to supporting legislative reforms and policies aimed at strengthening border security, enhancing drug control systems, and safeguarding public health and national security in Nigeria.
