In recognition of the strategic position of Nigeria in the sub-region, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has pledged partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Counter Terrorism, Violent Extremism and other violent crimes in line with its plan of action (2020-2024).
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, who led a delegation of the Commission to the NCTC in Abuja on 12 July 2024.
Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah who noted that terrorism has become an existential threat and a living danger to Africa, reiterated the need for collaborations among nations so as to address the trend. He said NCTC as a Centre of Excellence, is well positioned to house the continental vision of a Counter Terrorism Centre, even beyond a regional hub, noting that Nigeria is the natural leader in the region.
Ealier, the National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj Gen AG Laka said West Africa and the Sahel must come together to solve the problems of terrorism and other violent crimes bedeviling them by themselves-‘We don’t want our children to face what we are facing,’ he said.
The ECOWAS Commission is the engine room of all ECOWAS programmes, projects and activities. This ECOWAS administrative instrument was transformed from an Executive Secretariat to a Commission in 2007 in fulfilment of a decision to that effect taken the previous year in Niamey, Niger Republic.