The National Counter Terrorism Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Alliance of Sahel States – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – to effectively combat terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel region.
Speaking during a study visit of delegates from the three nations to the NCTC in Abuja on Thursday, the National Coordinator, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
The visit comes at a critical time, as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States, raising concerns about worsening insecurity in the region.
Last week, Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, warned that the exit of the three countries had increased the security burden on Nigeria’s military.
“The recent withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States from ECOWAS has disrupted existing security frameworks. This development has direct implications for the Multinational Joint Task Force, which has played a crucial role in countering Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon,” Abubakar stated during a first-quarter meeting with senior Air Force officials in Abuja.
Speaking on Thursday, the NCTC coordinator, Laka, noted that the study tour by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso delegates aimed to enhance knowledge sharing, promote teamwork, and strengthen social skills among regional security actors.
“As you are aware, cooperation in counterterrorism efforts is essential as it allows countries to share information, resources, and expertise,” he said. “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.”
Laka highlighted the existing military collaboration between Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic, particularly through the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
He credited the MNJTF for dislodging Boko Haram from its former strongholds and significantly degrading its capacity to launch large-scale attacks.
He also reaffirmed that the Office of the National Security Adviser had adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure a coordinated response to terrorism and serious organised crime.
Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy, he said, has evolved over the years to focus on legal, policy, and strategic frameworks.
The Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of West African Defence Chiefs, Gen. Christopher Musa, announced plans to visit Mali and Burkina Faso soon, saying that Nigeria had no intention of waging war against the two nations.
Musa, who visited Niger last year, expressed eagerness to visit Mali and Burkina Faso, stressing the need for unity in the face of shared security threats.
He also called for a concerted effort to disrupt illegal mining operations, which he identified as a major source of funding for terrorist groups.
Musa said, “I visited Niger last year and was warmly received. I look forward to visiting Mali and Burkina Faso as well. We must remain united.
“We must stop them from accessing funds. We need to prevent foreign partners from supporting them. This is crucial in our fight against terrorism.”
Expressing his delight at the meeting, the CDS stressed the importance of regional cooperation in tackling security challenges.
“It gladdens my heart to have people from the AES countries here. It shows how important it is for us to work together. It is only by working together that we can defeat these enemies of peace. These individuals have no respect for life, borders, or human rights. All they seek is destruction, especially within the Sahel region,” Musa said.
He stressed that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have historical and cultural ties.
“If you look at our way of life – whether in Nigeria, Mali, or Niger – we are one and the same. The only difference is the borders drawn during colonial times. Our culture, attitudes, and behaviors are similar. This meeting is a testament to the fact that we are not enemies but brothers and sisters,” he stated.
Musa noted that the meeting would not have been possible if their junta leaders had not permitted it.
He said, “Of course, they would not have been here if they didn’t have the support of their commanders. So they understand that they understand that peace is more important than war.”
Speaking on Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, Musa stated that the country since independence had been providing support to African countries during crises.
He said, “Over time, Nigeria has remained a peaceful country and has always meant well for its neighbors. There have been attempts to portray us as enemies, but we will never be enemies. Our presence here today is proof that we are brothers and sisters. We will not wage war against each other.
“Once again, I am pleased with this meeting. To our brothers from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali – we are one family. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Since independence, Nigeria has always stepped in to assist African nations in times of crisis.
“During apartheid, we welcomed South Africans here. When Liberia was in turmoil, Charles Taylor found refuge in Nigeria. Even now, the former president of Sierra Leone is here. Nigeria has always been a peaceful nation, and we intend to remain that way.”
The team lead, Aliyu Gebi, called for collaboration to keep countries safer.
He said, “We are safer and stronger when we work together. what happens in Mali,Niger and Burkina Faso resonates in Nigeria.
“I commend the Nigerian military for winning the war against insurgents but we need to harmonise strategies towards winning peace.”
He said the team was in Nigeria to study how to connect kinetic and non-kinetic operations to win peace.
Speaking during a study visit of delegates from the three nations to the NCTC in Abuja on Thursday, the National Coordinator, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
The visit comes at a critical time, as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States, raising concerns about worsening insecurity in the region.
Last week, Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, warned that the exit of the three countries had increased the security burden on Nigeria’s military.
“The recent withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States from ECOWAS has disrupted existing security frameworks. This development has direct implications for the Multinational Joint Task Force, which has played a crucial role in countering Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon,” Abubakar stated during a first-quarter meeting with senior Air Force officials in Abuja.
Speaking on Thursday, the NCTC coordinator, Laka, noted that the study tour by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso delegates aimed to enhance knowledge sharing, promote teamwork, and strengthen social skills among regional security actors.
“As you are aware, cooperation in counterterrorism efforts is essential as it allows countries to share information, resources, and expertise,” he said. “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.”
Laka highlighted the existing military collaboration between Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic, particularly through the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
He credited the MNJTF for dislodging Boko Haram from its former strongholds and significantly degrading its capacity to launch large-scale attacks.
He also reaffirmed that the Office of the National Security Adviser had adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure a coordinated response to terrorism and serious organised crime.
Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy, he said, has evolved over the years to focus on legal, policy, and strategic frameworks.
The Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of West African Defence Chiefs, Gen. Christopher Musa, announced plans to visit Mali and Burkina Faso soon, saying that Nigeria had no intention of waging war against the two nations.
Musa, who visited Niger last year, expressed eagerness to visit Mali and Burkina Faso, stressing the need for unity in the face of shared security threats.
He also called for a concerted effort to disrupt illegal mining operations, which he identified as a major source of funding for terrorist groups.
Musa said, “I visited Niger last year and was warmly received. I look forward to visiting Mali and Burkina Faso as well. We must remain united.
“We must stop them from accessing funds. We need to prevent foreign partners from supporting them. This is crucial in our fight against terrorism.”
Expressing his delight at the meeting, the CDS stressed the importance of regional cooperation in tackling security challenges.
“It gladdens my heart to have people from the AES countries here. It shows how important it is for us to work together. It is only by working together that we can defeat these enemies of peace. These individuals have no respect for life, borders, or human rights. All they seek is destruction, especially within the Sahel region,” Musa said.
He stressed that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have historical and cultural ties.
“If you look at our way of life – whether in Nigeria, Mali, or Niger – we are one and the same. The only difference is the borders drawn during colonial times. Our culture, attitudes, and behaviors are similar. This meeting is a testament to the fact that we are not enemies but brothers and sisters,” he stated.
Musa noted that the meeting would not have been possible if their junta leaders had not permitted it.
He said, “Of course, they would not have been here if they didn’t have the support of their commanders. So they understand that they understand that peace is more important than war.”
Speaking on Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, Musa stated that the country since independence had been providing support to African countries during crises.
He said, “Over time, Nigeria has remained a peaceful country and has always meant well for its neighbors. There have been attempts to portray us as enemies, but we will never be enemies. Our presence here today is proof that we are brothers and sisters. We will not wage war against each other.
“Once again, I am pleased with this meeting. To our brothers from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali – we are one family. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Since independence, Nigeria has always stepped in to assist African nations in times of crisis.
“During apartheid, we welcomed South Africans here. When Liberia was in turmoil, Charles Taylor found refuge in Nigeria. Even now, the former president of Sierra Leone is here. Nigeria has always been a peaceful nation, and we intend to remain that way.”
The team lead, Aliyu Gebi, called for collaboration to keep countries safer.
He said, “We are safer and stronger when we work together. what happens in Mali,Niger and Burkina Faso resonates in Nigeria.
“I commend the Nigerian military for winning the war against insurgents but we need to harmonise strategies towards winning peace.”
He said the team was in Nigeria to study how to connect kinetic and non-kinetic operations to win peace.
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