Nigeria’s security architecture is set for a renewed escalation in counter terrorism operations, strategic media engagement and regional cooperation as authorities move to confront increasingly complex security threats ahead of 2026.
Zig Diaries Security
Date: Thursday, 22 December 2025
Time: 13:00 WAT
Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria
The National Coordinator National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka disclosed this while fielding questions at a at an end of year Media Parley with journalists at the Centre on Thursday, outlining a multi layered approach that combines intelligence, public participation, technology and cross border collaboration to stem terrorism and kidnapping across the country.
According to him, at the Centre, media engagement remains a critical pillar of national security, with journalists regularly invited for briefings and facility coverage. They revealed plans to expand outreach across traditional and social media platforms, including public awareness jingles, as the Centre positions itself as a regional centre of excellence for Africa and the Sahel.
“The media is not just an observer, it is a partner in national security,”
“We are expanding our engagement to ensure accurate information, public awareness and responsible reporting as part of the wider security effort,” stated General Laka.
On internal security challenges, the General Laka said the increasing involvement of civilians as informants for kidnappers and terrorist groups, describing this trend as one of the most difficult obstacles facing security agencies, noting that criminal networks now exploit farmers, villagers, women and even children to relay intelligence.
He further disclosed that kidnapping has, in some cases, evolved into a business enterprise, including incidents where individuals stage their own abduction to extort ransom from relatives, sometimes using artificial intelligence tools to disguise their voices.
While acknowledging operational successes, General Laka stressed that sensitive details could not be disclosed to avoid jeopardising ongoing and future missions. They pointed to Nigeria’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force monitoring list as evidence of progress in countering terror financing.
“That achievement reflects coordinated efforts in tracking ransom payments, prosecuting financiers, recovering funds and seizing assets linked to terrorism,” an official explained.
The briefing also highlighted concerns over ransom payments routed through Point of Sale operators, noting that kidnappers frequently exploit such channels to withdraw funds. Authorities said measures are being intensified to close these loopholes and disrupt financial pipelines supporting criminal networks.
On the regional front, the NCTC Coordinator warned that persistent instability in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, continues to affect Nigeria due to porous borders and transnational terrorist links. They noted that recent coups in the region have further complicated cooperation and security coordination.
“Nigeria cannot be insulated from the Sahel,”
“As long as terrorism thrives in neighbouring countries, its effects will continue to spill across our borders,” he added.
Addressing the role of technology, the Centre revealed ongoing collaboration with major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X to remove content that threatens national security, such as videos used by bandits to flaunt looted items or spread propaganda.
Looking ahead, he announced that security agencies would significantly scale up operations in 2026 in line with presidential directives, with stronger emphasis on intelligence driven operations, technology, regional partnerships and citizen participation.
In closing, the counter terrorism leadership urged Nigerians to collectively decide the kind of society they desire, stressing that defeating terrorism and kidnapping requires a shared national resolve. The centre called on communities to reject criminality and cooperate with security agencies, noting that lasting peace will only be possible when citizens refuse to tolerate violence and insecurity.
🏷️ Tags: Nigeria Security, Counter Terrorism, Regional Cooperation, Media Engagement, Sahel, National Security
#ZigDiariesSecurity #NigeriaSecurity #CounterTerrorism #Sahel #NationalSecurity
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