By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
Coordinator of the Nigerian National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Major General Adamu Laka says by upholding criminal justice system and the rule of law in its counterterrorism campaigns with the support of government and development partners, the centre has Secured 775 convictions From 8 phases of terrorism trials.
Delivering welcome address on behalf of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, at the just concluded Regional Conference in Abuja On Combating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security In ECOWAS Region and the Sahel, organised by the centre in close collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, General Laka recalled that the African Counter Terrorism Summit hosted in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, in April 2024, culminated in the Abuja Declaration that recognised this centre as a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counter Terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
Warning that a grave terror threat faces the region, he said, “Our region continues to face an escalating wave of terrorism, perpetrated by groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and, more recently, the Lakurawa Group.
“These groups have exploited porous borders, political instability, and weak governance systems to expand their operations. The consequences are devastating: countless lives lost, entire communities displaced, economies disrupted, and the very fabric of our societies threatened.
“What makes this conference particularly urgent is that these groups are not only multiplying but exploiting digital spaces as well as new technologies to fight, radicalize and recruit, especially our youth. This evolving threat demands that we match their adaptability with resilience, innovation, and stronger collaboration across borders.
“Collectively, these frameworks reflect our shared commitment; what is left is to move from words to pragmatic action.
Excellencies, we must recognise that no single country or institution can defeat terrorism alone. It is a regional and global challenge that thrives on disunity. Nigeria therefore deeply values the contributions of the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, and our international partners.
“Yet, beyond global support, we must also amplify the voices and capacities of our own people, civil society, youth, religious leaders, academia, and the media who play vital roles in preventing radicalization, countering extremist narratives, and building resilient communities. Sustainable security is not about military actions but about winning hearts and minds, restoring trust in governance, and investing in human development.
“It is in this spirit that Nigeria established the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to coordinate Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts. Our approach is anchored on the whole-of-government and whole-of-society principles, which calls for synergy among state institutions, communities, academia, traditional and religious leaders, the private sector, youth, and the media, alongside regional and international partners.”
The general disclosed that the centre operates 11 state-of-the-art forensic laboratories to enhance investigations in terrorism-related cases.
Speaking further on the strategies being adopted to confront the menace of terrorism to a standstill, he said, “Over the years, our experience in counterterrorism have proved that lasting solution lies in addressing the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism. This demands robust non-kinetic measures that foster dialogue, reconciliation, education, economic empowerment, social cohesion, and community resilience.
“Accordingly, our focus has been on initiatives such as community engagement, counter-radicalisation and deradicalisation programmes, strategic communication to counter extremist propaganda, as well as rehabilitation and reintegration of disengaged individuals, including psychosocial support for victims.
“With the support of government and development partners, we continue to invest in livelihoods, youth and women empowerment, and education. In parallel, we uphold criminal justice system and the rule of law in our counterterrorism efforts.
“So far, we have conducted 8 phases of terrorism trials with 775 convictions. You may recall that Nigeria hosted the African Counter Terrorism Summit in Abuja in April 2024, which culminated in the Abuja Declaration that recognized this Centre as a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counter Terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
“We are humbled by this upgrade, and we are steadily repositioning ourselves to fully assume this role in service to our region,” adding that the centre had strengthened capacity-building initiatives by partnering with institutions such as the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana, the International Counter Terrorism Academy in Côte d’Ivoire among others in the region.
Concluding, he said, “On this note, on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, whose strategic guidance and support has been the backbone of this endeavour, I wish to express our deep appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, His Excellency Mr Leonardo Santos Simão; the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Dr Omar Alieu Touray; the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs; the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, His Excellency Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; the ECOWAS Commissioner, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah; and His Excellency, Musa Sani Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS.