Nigeria Reviews National Counter Terrorism Strategy To Capture Realities of Current Threat Environment

In an effort to strenghten counter-terrorism fight not just within Nigeria but in the Sahel region, Nigeria's National Counter Terrorism Centre is working to finalise a draft document known as the 'National Counter Terrorism Strategy'. 

The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka revealed this at a 2-Day National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) workshop for organised by the Centre in Collaboration with the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility. 

According to General Laka, the National Counter Terrorism Strategy has guided Nigeria's fight against terrorism since 2016 and is being reviewed to embody the realities of the current threat environment. 

This review ensures that the evolving nature of the security landscape is comprehensively captured in guiding Nigeria's counter terrorism operations and to broaden perspective on emerging threats, the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations, and the lessons learned from counterterrorism operations over the years.

Addressing participant at the workshop drown from Ministries, Departments, Agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners, the Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka said following expert review from previous stakeholders’ engagements, a robust, inclusive, revised strategy that is fully aligned with international best practices that will stand the test of time is being drwaned up by experts.

"Seguel to the declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Counter Terrorism Centre is transitioning into a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel which demands that Nigeria produce a National Counter Terrorism Strategy that meets Nigeria’s needs and also sets a benchmark for the Regio" 

"The Centre’s expanded role as a Regional Centre of Excellence includes spearheading capacity-building efforts for West African and Sahelian states"

General Adamu Laka further appreciated the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility for their support and all of the partners of the centre in the pursuit of counterterrorism initiatives. 

While highlighting the workshop objectives, the Director Policy and Strategy, at the NCTC, Commodore Ahmad Madawaki emphasized that it is important that the final document meets legal and international requirements, including human rights, gender, humanitarian law, incorporate all national, regional and international legislations that relate to terrorism. 

"We acknowledge that terrorism is a global phenomenon that requires international cooperation and support and as such we will seek the support of the international community, inchiding financial and technical assistance, in enhancing our counter-terrorism efforts"

"Through this collaborative process, we are confident that our National Counter Terrorism Strategy will be comprehensive, effective and responsive to the needs of our nation" stated Commodore Ahmad Madawaki.