The decisions on the thematic areas of the 2024 UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Summit have successfully led to the establishment and commissioning of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell, improved maritime security and conviction of over 500 terrorist cases.
National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, ONSA, Maj Gen AG Laka (Middle), flanked by the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs Gill Lever OBE (right) and National Coordinator, National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, ONSA, Ahmad Sa’ad Abubakar (left)
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major General Adamu Garba Laka made the submission while listing some achievements so far recorded as a result of the collaboration at the opening session of the partnership stock-take meeting held at the NCTC, Abuja on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
General Laka recalled that discussions of the previous summit focused on Terrorism and Violent Extremism, Cyber Security, Kidnap Response, Defence Operation, Policing and Civil-Military Cooperation and Human Rights, as well as Women, Peace and Security, Serious Organised Crime and Regional Security with emphasis on States in ECOWAS sub-region and the Sahel.
The NCTC boss, who noted the necessities of inter-agency and international cooperation to address insecurity beyond the national borders, said the Centre, in collaboration with the British High Commission, sought to monitor the implementation of the identified thematic areas as basis for the stock-take meeting.
He reiterated the need for continuous collaboration among national stakeholders and international partners with priority on whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches in addressing security and defence challenges.
Officials and Participants at the Stock-Take meeting in a group photograph
While commending officials of the British High Commission, ECOWAS, those of the military, police, other security, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, international and national organisations as well as MDAs for their commitment to the country’s security and defence matters, on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, he says, “I believe that we will all bring our robust experiences to bear in proffering meaningful and workable solutions to addressing security and defence concerns in the country,” he emphasised.
National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj Gen AG Laka (4th Left); National Coordinator NCCC,Ahmad Sa’ad Abubakar; Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs Gill Lever OBE (4 right); and others at the Stock-Take meeting in Abuja
In her remarks, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs Gill Lever OBE noted that the stock-take marked another milestone in the two nations’ shared journey to strengthen collaboration and deepen their relationship. “This is a chance to assess the progress to date, identify barriers to cooperation and agree joint actions to boost progress,” she stressed.