Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has expressed appreciation to the Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) for the training programs offered to the Nigerian Armed Forces to strengthen their counterterrorism capabilities.
Dr. Matawalle made the remarks during his official visit to the IMCTC headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The visit underscores Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities and fostering international collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
In a statement signed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday by the Minister’s Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Dr. Matawalle highlighted the significant impact of the IMCTC’s training initiatives on the operational readiness of Nigeria’s military.
“The various types of training provided by the IMCTC have been instrumental in improving the capacity of our armed forces to combat terrorism,” Dr. Matawalle said.
He praised the Coalition’s commitment to global peace and security and emphasized Nigeria’s continued partnership with the organization.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Matawalle is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the areas of defense and counterterrorism cooperation.
The IMCTC, headquartered in Riyadh, is an intergovernmental alliance of Muslim-majority countries dedicated to combating terrorism through intelligence sharing, training, and joint operations.
Nigeria has been an active participant in the coalition, benefiting from its strategic programs aimed at tackling the evolving threats of terrorism.
The training provided by the IMCTC has helped Nigeria adopt modern counterterrorism strategies and enhance inter-agency collaboration within the armed forces.
Meanwhile, Since minister of Defence for state assumed,the Nigerian Armed Forces have made significant progress in curbing terrorism, thanks in part to partnerships with international organizations like the IMCTC.
The Minister’s visit is seen as a step towards reinforcing these partnerships and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
“These collaborations are critical for regional stability and the global fight against terrorism,” said a security analyst in Abuja.
Dr. Matawalle’s engagements in Riyadh are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s international defense partnerships, ensuring that the country remains at the forefront of efforts to combat terrorism and promote global peace.