Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) announced that the country has completed eight phases of terrorism‑related trials, resulting in 775 convictions. Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, the NCTC’s National Coordinator, disclosed this at a regional conference on combating emerging terrorist groups in Abuja. The gathering, attended by security chiefs, policymakers and development partners, aims to strengthen sustainable security across the ECOWAS region and the Sahel.
Laka emphasized that the trials demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to justice through lawful processes while also offering rehabilitation and reintegration opportunities for repentant fighters. He stressed that the nation’s counter‑terrorism strategy is based on a “whole‑of‑government” and “whole‑of‑society” approach, uniting state institutions, civil society and the private sector to tackle the root causes of terrorism such as poverty and social exclusion. While acknowledging the importance of military actions, Laka argued that lasting security requires a holistic effort that wins hearts and minds, restores trust in governance and addresses underlying grievances.
The NCTC chief recalled that Nigeria hosted the African Counter Terrorism Summit in April 2024, which recognized the NCTC as a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counter Terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel. The current conference seeks to consolidate that mandate by deepening regional cooperation and producing actionable recommendations. Over two days, participants are expected to deliver a situational analysis of emerging terrorist groups, reaffirm commitment to operationalising the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Force, and develop practical strategies for intelligence sharing and securing porous borders.
In addition, the conference aims to mainstream youth, civil society and the media into the regional security architecture. Representatives from ECOWAS, the United Nations and other international partners are present, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in combating terrorism. The outcomes are anticipated to have significant implications for the region’s security landscape, addressing evolving terrorist threats and promoting sustainable peace and stability. With the rising threat of terrorism, the focus on strengthening regional security architecture and promoting non‑kinetic measures is both timely and relevant.
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