National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has called on the West Africa and Sahel countries to work together to overcome all impediments to growth and development of the various states, including terrorism.
Officials at the meeting in a group photograph
General Laka stated this during a study visit of the delegation from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, to the centre on Thursday 6 March, 2025, in Abuja.
The National Coordinator who noted that the study tour would enhance the visitors’ knowledge and understanding as well as promote teamwork and social skills in the counterterrorism efforts in the region; also stressed that cooperation in counterterrorism efforts is essential as it allows countries to share information, resources and expertise.
“It is also well known that the challenges we face in countering terrorism are multifaceted and complex, requiring innovative approaches and steadfast determination.
“By coming together in this spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, we strengthen our resolve and enhance our capabilities to effectively counter terrorism,” he said.
R-L: National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj Gen AG Laka, Head of Nat’l Centre for Strategic Studies, Burkina Faso, Gen. Aime B Simpore and National Coordinator, WANEP- Mali, Mahamady Togola
Laka said that Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republic had demonstrated such cooperation both in kinetic and non-kinetic approaches by agreeing to synergise the nations’ military efforts under the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
He said the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had dislodged Boko Haram from its former strongholds and successfully degraded their capacity to wage large-scale insurgency in the region.
The coordinator disclosed that the Office of the National Security Adviser has adopted the whole-of-government and the-whole-of-society approach in the provision of needed strategic coordination.
A cross section of participants at the meeting
According to him, Nigeria’s firm stance on counterterrorism and serious organised Crime measures has evolved over the years and focused on legal and policy frameworks as well as strategies.
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Fusion Center for Dialogue and Peace Processes, Hon. Aliyu Gebi, said that the war against terrorism might be won through kinetic efforts but was unable to win the peace.
He said that peace could only be won through the use of non-kinetic strategies, adding that there was a need to harmonise efforts in countering violent extremism in the region.
“If we come together, this enemy can be defeated, and this enemy has been defeated, but we have not been able to consolidate because we did not have a centre like this one, a centre of excellence that is now regional,” he said.