UN Agencies Unite in Abuja to Combat Transnational Crime Threat in Nigeria
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) convened a crucial meeting in Abuja, bringing together various UN agencies and Nigerian counterparts to forge a coordinated strategy against the growing menace of transnational organized crime (TOC). The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall, emphasized that TOC significantly undermines the work of all UN agencies and hinders the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.
UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, highlighted the diverse forms of TOC prevalent in Nigeria, including drug and human trafficking, arms smuggling, cybercrime, and illegal exploitation of resources. He stressed that these crimes thrive in environments marked by corruption and insecurity, such as the banditry and terrorism in the Northwest and Northeast, which limit humanitarian access. A representative from Nigeria’s NDLEA underscored the criminals’ increasing technological sophistication, making collaborative forums essential.
This Field Dialogue is part of a broader global UN initiative aimed at developing a unified approach and enhancing cooperation among agencies to tackle TOC, recognized as a major threat to peace and development. Similar dialogues are taking place in other key regions to gather insights and develop integrated strategies. Nigeria’s strategic location in West Africa and its vulnerabilities to various forms of organized crime position it as a central focus of these efforts.
The Abuja dialogue signifies a critical step in bolstering joint UN efforts to support Nigeria in addressing the complex challenges posed by organized crime. The collaboration aims to leverage expertise and develop effective strategies to counter this growing threat and its impact on the region.
