A sweeping Interpol-led operation targeting illegal mining in West Africa has led to the arrest of 200 people and the seizure of substances worth $100,000.

Kayode Egbetokun has called for greater intelligence sharing among African law enforcement agencies as a key strategy to tackle crime.

The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday announced the formal exit of junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc following their withdrawal last year.

An Interpol-led operation targeting illegal mining in Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea and Senegal has led to the arrest of 200 people and seized chemicals, explosives, drugs and pain relief medication used by illegal miners.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetoku, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the West Africa Police Chiefs Committee

Thirty-seven suspected terrorists, including suspected members of Islamic State, have been arrested across east Africa over the last two months, the global police body Interpol said on Monday.

A joint operation by Interpol and Afripol led to the arrest of 37 suspected members of terror groups including Islamic State and al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab in East Africa in November and December.

The 26th Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) Annual General Meeting opened on Wednesday, January 29, in Kigali as Police Chiefs from 14 member countries gathered to reinforce cooperation against terrorism,

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said Wednesday.

Burkina Faso, Mali, Somalia, Nigeria and Niger — sit among the top 10 in the Institute for Economics and Peace’s 2024 Global Terrorism Index.

During the conference, IGP will engage with other national and international law enforcement representatives to share insights on strategies for improving public safety and security, as well as addressing emerging criminal trends.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger accused the bloc of having double standards in punishing their military juntas. Negotiations failed to change their minds.