The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, has called for stronger governance systems, innovative security strategies and evidence-based policies to address the growing nexus between crime, illicit economies and instability in Nigeria.
Ochogwu made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a one-day roundtable organised by the IPCR in collaboration with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime.
In his opening remarks, Ochogwu described the dialogue as both timely and urgent, noting that organised crime and illicit economies had continued to fuel insecurity across the country.
“Across our nation, we have witnessed how organised crime and illicit economies, whether in arms trafficking, resource smuggling, drug trade, or human trafficking intersect with communal violence and insurgency. These dynamics not only undermine governance and economic stability but also erode social cohesion and deepen insecurity at the community level,” he said.
He added that understanding the link between crime and conflict was critical to developing effective peacebuilding strategies and strengthening national resilience.
