ECOWAS, WACSI seal landmark pact to strengthen civil society’s role in regional integration

By: Zagazola Makama

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), reaffirming its commitment to placing citizens at the heart of regional integration even as the bloc navigates the political consequences of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

The agreement, signed in Abuja on Friday, formalises a long-standing relationship between the regional organisation and the Ghana-based institute, creating a framework for collaboration on conflict prevention, democratic governance, peacebuilding, civic participation, digital governance and institutional capacity building.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, insisted that despite the departure of the three Sahel states from the 15-member bloc, the peoples of the region remain deeply connected.

“It’s a divorce without leaving the house,” Touray remarked, drawing laughter from the audience before explaining that while governments may have taken different political paths, the social, economic and cultural ties binding West Africans remain strong.

He stressed that ECOWAS would continue to engage citizens across the region, saying the organisation’s vision of integration could only succeed with an active and vibrant civil society.

“We continue to open our doors to the people,” Touray said, adding that civil society organisations remain indispensable partners in promoting democratic governance, accountability and sustainable development.

The ECOWAS Commission President described the MoU as “far more than a formal agreement”, saying it represents “a shared commitment to partnership, dialogue and collective action in pursuit of a peaceful, democratic, prosperous and resilient West Africa.”

According to him, the partnership comes at a critical time as the region grapples with unconstitutional changes of government, violent extremism, fragile political transitions, shrinking civic space, youth unemployment, climate-induced pressures and declining development financing.

“These challenges demand stronger partnerships, innovative approaches and coordinated responses that draw on the comparative strengths of governments, regional institutions and civil society,” he said.

Touray said the agreement would strengthen ECOWAS’ preventive diplomacy architecture by leveraging the knowledge and reach of civil society to improve early warning systems, anticipate governance and security risks, and promote peaceful democratic transitions anchored on constitutional rule. He added that the collaboration would also deepen citizen engagement, protect civic freedoms, empower women and young people, strengthen civil society institutions and promote responsible digital governance in line with ECOWAS Vision 2050.

In her response, WACSI Executive Director, Dr Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, described the agreement as an “epochal” milestone that demonstrates ECOWAS’ determination to transform itself into “an ECOWAS of peoples.”

“For us, it’s bigger than WACSI,” she said.

“ECOWAS has been established with a very clear direction that it is not just an ECOWAS of Heads of State, but actually an ECOWAS of peoples.”

Afadzinu said WACSI’s vision of a peaceful, secure and prosperous West Africa driven by its people aligns perfectly with that of ECOWAS, adding that citizen participation has always been central to the institute’s mission.

“The people element is what drives us,” she said. “Your engaging us in this manner and wanting to deepen this relationship shows your commitment to engaging with the people in looking at the issues affecting this region.”

She noted that WACSI, established in 2005, has worked closely with ECOWAS for nearly two decades, supporting initiatives such as the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework, strategic planning processes, civil society engagement in policy formulation and consultations on the establishment of the proposed ECOWAS Economic and Social Council (ECOSOCC).

“We are no strangers to ECOWAS,” Afadzinu said. “But what this MoU does is really strengthen that bond and also give us, to some extent, a certain mandate—with the blessing of ECOWAS—to bring civil society closer to this institution that we truly believe in.”

Despite the political and security challenges confronting the sub-region, she said WACSI remains confident in the regional body’s future.

“In spite of all the challenges, we believe in this institution, and we want it to succeed,” she declared.

Afadzinu said the partnership would also help bridge the knowledge gap between ECOWAS and civil society organisations, describing the relationship as a two-way process.

“There are ways that you could enable us to understand better how this institution works. That’s what civil society needs to understand. But also for ECOWAS to understand civil society. It’s a two-way affair.”

Both leaders agreed that the value of the agreement would ultimately be measured not by the ceremony but by the impact it delivers for the people of West Africa.

“The true value of this Memorandum will be measured not by its signing but by the tangible results it delivers for the people of West Africa,” Touray said, urging both institutions to move swiftly from commitment to implementation.

The partnership is expected to provide a structured platform for joint initiatives on peace and security, democratic governance, human rights, civic participation, digital innovation and institutional strengthening, reinforcing ECOWAS’ long-term ambition of building a peaceful, inclusive and resilient West Africa anchored on the active participation of its citizens.

ECOWAS, WACSI seal landmark pact to strengthen civil society’s role in regional integration

NDLEA Warns Nigerians Against Fake Vehicle Auction Scam Using Officials’ Names

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alerted Nigerians to a fraudulent scheme in which scammers are impersonating senior officials of the agency to deceive unsuspecting members of the public with fake offers of forfeited vehicles purportedly being sold at discounted auction prices.

In a disclaimer issued on Friday, the agency said the fraudsters have been circulating forged private letters and messages, particularly in the name of the NDLEA’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, claiming that seized vehicles are available for purchase through private arrangements.

The agency described the offers as entirely fraudulent, warning that they are designed solely to swindle victims out of their money.

According to the NDLEA, no official of the agency has the authority to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals under any circumstance.

It explained that assets forfeited as proceeds of drug-related offences are disposed of only through publicly advertised auctions conducted by government-appointed and registered auctioneers, in accordance with extant legal provisions and public procurement regulations.

The agency stressed that whenever such auctions are approved, they are widely publicised through national newspapers and the NDLEA’s official communication platforms to ensure transparency and equal access for interested members of the public.

The anti-narcotics agency therefore urged Nigerians to disregard any private letters, text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles for sale on behalf of Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.

It also advised anyone approached with such offers to report the matter immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through the agency’s official communication channels.

The statement, signed by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, accountability and due process in the disposal of forfeited assets, while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to the activities of fraudsters exploiting the agency’s name.

NDLEA Warns Nigerians Against Fake Vehicle Auction Scam Using Officials’ Names

Troops Repel Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue District Head, Recover Arms in Katsina, Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have repelled multiple terrorist attacks, rescued an abducted district head and recovered arms and other combat equipment during coordinated operations across Katsina and Zamfara states.

The military disclosed that the operations, conducted on July 2, demonstrated the sustained offensive against terrorist groups operating in the North-West.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 on a fighting patrol engaged terrorists between Amara and Chakau Junction in Danmusa Local Government Area after the fleeing criminals opened fire on the advancing troops.

The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee and abandon their mission.

Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with eight rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists.

In another operation on the outskirts of Sabon Garin and Dantakeri villages in Dutsinma Local Government Area, troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes, responded to a terrorist attack and engaged the assailants in a firefight.

One terrorist was neutralised during the encounter, while the remaining attackers fled with varying degrees of gunshot wounds, according to military sources.

Also in Katsina, troops of Sector 2, working with other security agencies, responded to intelligence that terrorists had invaded Farin Hawa Village in Malumfashi Local Government Area and abducted the District Head, Mr. Mubarak Sharin.

The troops immediately pursued the fleeing terrorists, made contact with them and engaged them in a gun battle, killing one of the kidnappers and forcing the others to abandon the abducted traditional ruler.

The district head was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family.

Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2 successfully repelled a terrorist attack on their position at Dauran in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.

Military sources said reinforcement troops joined the battle, forcing the terrorists to retreat in disarray.

A subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 35 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a bandolier and a hydration pack (CamelBak).

The military commended the courage, professionalism and resilience displayed by the troops as well as the support of other security agencies and local vigilantes during the operations.

It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups while working closely with local communities to improve security and protect lives and property across the North-West.

Troops Repel Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue District Head, Recover Arms in Katsina, Zamfara