An INTERPOL-coordinated border security operation across West Africa has resulted in 62 arrests and the seizure of large quantities of ammunition, explosives, firearms, narcotics, counterfeit medicines and stolen vehicles.
The operation, Screen West Africa 2025, ran from July to October and involved security personnel from 12 West African countries. The initiative focused on strengthening border security, identifying individuals linked to terrorism, and disrupting transnational organized crime networks.
During the exercise, officers at land, air and sea borders used INTERPOL Mobile Devices and other data systems to access the organization’s global criminal databases. A total of 1.7 million real-time checks were conducted, a significant increase from the 1.3 million checks recorded in 2024.
Border Checks Across Multiple Entry Points
Personnel carried out inspections at rivers, airports and land borders, including the Gambia River estuary near the Port of Banjul, Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, and several checkpoints in Gambia, Cabo Verde and Nigeria. Officers also examined cargo arriving at Tincan Port in Lagos.
Arrests Linked to Terrorism
The operation led to nine arrests of individuals suspected of terrorist links and generated nearly 250 database hits, including seven related to Red Notices and nine connected to Blue Notices for terrorism-related activities.
Two major arrests were recorded in Burkina Faso, where security officers apprehended two individuals wanted by Côte d’Ivoire. The suspects were linked to 2020 attacks by the al-Qaeda-affiliated group JNIM, which resulted in the deaths of more than 10 Ivorian security personnel. Both suspects were the subjects of Blue Notices seeking additional information on their identities and movements.
Burkina Faso authorities also detained a third terrorism-linked suspect wanted under a Blue Notice issued by Togo during Operation FIRST in 2024, which focused on identifying suspected terrorists through facial recognition and other technologies.
INTERPOL’s Executive Director of Police Services (pro tempore), Cyril Gout, said the arrests reflected the value of INTERPOL’s operational support and global databases in helping countries track and apprehend high-risk individuals.
“These cases highlight how the operational support we offer member countries and our unique specialist tools can make the links that identify suspected terrorists and disrupt their attempts to create fear and endanger communities,” he said.
Human Trafficking Victims Rescued
In Ghana, officers rescued 21 victims of human trafficking who had been held in Nigeria and exploited in fraudulent online schemes.
Seizures Across the Region
The operation also extended to harbours and territorial waters. INTERPOL issued alerts regarding vessels engaging in deceptive shipping methods, including identity tampering, “dark operations” (switching off identification systems) and frequent changes of registration, known as “flag hopping.”
Key seizures include:
17 caches of weapons and ammunition
Explosives, including dynamite and detonators
136 stolen vehicles
731 kg of cannabis
Counterfeit medicines, including fake branded opioid painkillers
Counterfeit currency and fraudulent documents
Authorities noted that proceeds from these items often fund terrorist activities or organized crime networks.
