President Bola Tinubu has called on West African governments to treat illegal mining, resource theft, and mineral smuggling as international crimes, warning that such activities pose serious risks to regional peace, development, and stability.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), Tinubu
represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akumelamented the persistent plundering of mineral wealth across the region.
President Tinubu noted that despite years of independence, corruption and unchecked exploitation of resources continued to weaken governance and economic growth in West Africa.
“It’s time we designate resource theft and mineral smuggling as crimes against regional security,” he said.
He urged regional leaders to unite against criminal syndicates benefiting from illegal mining and cross-border smuggling of natural resources.
Also addressing the gathering, Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged member nations to domesticate the ECOWAS Protocol on Corruption, ensuring that corrupt officials find no refuge across borders.
“Let us ensure that thieves have nowhere to hide in West Africa.
“Those who disturb the peace of nations must not rest, ” he stated.
The anti-corruption meeting brought together stakeholders from across ECOWAS states under the NACIWA platform, which seeks to promote transparency and joint action against corruption.
The body is currently headed by Ola Olukoyede, who also chairs Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
