NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
NSA seeks effective mechanism to tackle IEDs usage by terrorists

NSA seeks effective mechanism to tackle IEDs usage by terrorists

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has called for development of effective mechanisms to enhance the ability to prevent and counter the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups in West Africa.

Ribadu made the call at the opening of the Stakeholders meeting on Consolidating Collaborative Efforts to Prevent and Counter the Acquisition and Use of IED by Terrorist Group in West Africa, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He was represented by Mohammed Sanusi, Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), at the event organised by the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF).

Ribadu said that the threat of terrorism knows no bounds, adding that it was through collaborative efforts by critical stakeholders that they could effectively confront and defeat the menace.

He encouraged participants to actively engage in discussion, get ideas and work towards solutions that would help them on how counter terrorism could affect communities in West Africa.

He commended the partners for their dedication in strengthening their collective efforts in combating terrorism.

“This regional meeting serves as a platform for us to share knowledge, best practice and experiences in addressing the threats of IEDs by bringing together representatives from ministries, departments, and agencies in Nigeria, as well as experts from the West Africa region, member states, and other relevant stakeholders.

“We aim to develop effective mechanisms to enhance our ability to prevent and counter the use of IEDs.

“The recommendations that will emerge from this meeting are vital in sharing and shaping our strategies and initiating to safeguard our communities from IEDs,” he said.

The Ambassador of Algeria to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, said that African countries must be able to take adequate measures to make the fight against terrorism effective.

These measures, he said concern not only the prevention and dismantling of IEDs, but also proactive and preventive actions that aim to deconstruct them and seek a provision to promote coordination and cooperation.

He said the measures would also help in adapting to new threats driven by technological progress.

According to him, the use of these explosive devices remains one of the most potent tools used to carry out terrorist attacks in the interior, against the states of West Africa and the countries of the Sahel region.

He called for an integrated approach by combining security measures and initiatives to prevent use of IEDs, and consolidating the sustainable development approach.

“It is also worth recalling, on a broader point, the debate at the United Nations Security Council on the fight against terrorism in Africa.

“It served as an opportunity to raise awareness of the alarming rise of terrorism in Africa and to reaffirm the urgent need to live it in the global interest and to revive international momentum to address this crisis that now threatens security and development in our continent at this time.

“The efforts of our group to strengthen West African capacities take into account local and regional realities and require the reaffirmed commitment of the international community and its determination to combat the use of improvised explosive devices.

“It is in this context that the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 79-53 of 2024, emphasised the importance of training and the implementation of regional strategies,” he said.

The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, represented by the Head of Political Division, Mathias Dold, said the global trend of weaponising commercial drones tended to jeopardise much of the impressive progress that many countries had made in bringing back stability.

He said the agenda of the meeting was built on the Working Group’s regional meeting of 2023, which emphasised the need to strengthen national and regional counter-IED expertise, disrupt the supply chains of IED components, and turn intelligence into the core of the scientific evidence.

According to him, these insights resulted in the formulation of the Lome Recommendations.

He commended the Government of Nigeria for hosting the event,adding that the German Government and the European Union had continued to support numerous activities that contribute to non-kinetic efforts to preventing and countering violent extremism, such as the integrated border stability mechanisms for West Africa.

He said that Germany had also been supporting the regional stabilisation facility in the Lake Chad region and contributed to counter-IED activity.

“The German Government and the European Union support these initiatives and contribute resources for a simple reason.

“Security and stability in the Lake Chad Basin, in the Sahel, and in West Africa in general, are in our own interest.

“Together with Nigeria and other West African countries, we share a mutual interest in a secure, stable, and prosperous sub-region, a sub-region that is Europe’s immediate neighbour.

“Thus, we believe that a comprehensive approach, under African leadership, accompanied by international support, and based on the rule of law and human rights, is key to successfully addressing the terrorist threat in the region,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

NSA seeks proactive strategies to counter threats of extremist groups

NSA seeks proactive strategies to counter threats of extremist groups

299 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has called for dynamic, proactive, and relevant strategies to effectively counter the threats posed by the activities of extremist groups.

Ribadu made the call at the Pre-Review Workshop for the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Nigeria, held on Monday in Abuja.

Ribadu was represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Hajiya Idayat Hassan, at the workshop organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), in collaboration with its foreign partners.

He said that Nigeria, like many nations, faced the devastating consequences of violent extremism including loss of lives, destruction of communities, and erosion of the social fabric of the nation.

According to him, these effects serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for a comprehensive and effective strategy to counter these threats and provide actionable solutions.

“However, the fight against violent extremism is not static; it demands constant vigilance, continuous learning, and a proactive approach to address evolving threats.

“Extremist groups continue to evolve, adapting their tactics and exploiting new technologies and online platforms to spread their ideologies.

“To effectively counter these threats, our strategies must remain dynamic, proactive, and relevant.

“This review also presents an opportunity to critically assess past interventions, identifying successes and areas that require improvement to refine our approaches and incorporate best practices,” he said.

Ribadu said it was essential to align the efforts with national security priorities and international obligations, ensuring that the strategies remain consistent with global standards and contribute to broader regional and international security objectives.

He commended the stakeholders for the inclusive methodology adopted for the review, describing it as transparent and data-driven.

”The broad spectrum of stakeholders engaged spanning government agencies, civil society organisations, academia, religious and community leaders, and international partners reflects our commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to preventing and countering violent extremism.

“Let me state that this review must focus on key areas such as enhancing community resilience, countering online radicalisation, and improving rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.

“Empowering communities to resist radicalisation and addressing the root causes of extremism are critical.

“Similarly, given the increasing use of digital platforms by extremist groups, it is imperative to develop effective strategies to counter online radicalisation, amplify counter-narratives, and enhance digital literacy.

“Rehabilitation and reintegration must also be approached comprehensively, providing former extremists with pathways back into society while addressing community concerns.

“Additionally, there is a need to improve inter-agency coordination to enhance intelligence sharing and operational effectiveness,” he added.

He added that a robust monitoring and evaluation framework would ensure accountability and track progress.

The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the review underscored the need to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of extremism, adding that the threats would undoubtedly continue to evolve.

Laka said that responses must remain dynamic, proactive, and effective in countering emerging challenges.

He explained that the workshop would provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the framework, identify strengths, and address any gaps.

According to him, the expertise, insights and recommendations of the stakeholders will be invaluable in ensuring that the revised framework is comprehensive, responsive, and reflective of current realities.

“We recognise that this fight cannot be waged in isolation; it requires the concerted efforts of government agencies, civil society organisations, academia, religious leaders, community representatives, and international partners.

“I urge everyone to approach it with an open mind, a spirit of collaboration, and a firm commitment to strengthening our national resilience,” he said.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, said that both the EU and Nigeria were members of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF).

”The workshop is another excellent example of how efforts between governments, members of the GCTF and organisations inspired by it, can effectively work together in addressing the drivers of violent extremism and terrorism and the factors that enable them, Mignot said.

He said that the emergence of terrorist groups in Northwest Nigeria and other parts of the country underscored the importance to invest further in preventing and fighting the scourge of terrorism.

According to him, the ripple effects are far-reaching, highlighting the urgency of coordinated, innovative responses.

“The EU commends the efforts made by the government of Nigeria to tackle the threat of terrorism both at national and regional level but we are aware that there is need for further work and investments.

“In this context, taking the time to sit down, reflect and consult to update strategies and policies is a very necessary endeavour, especially when it comes to a phenomenon so complex and detrimental like extremism, we know this also in Europe.

“The EU is proud to be supporting Nigeria in these efforts, in particular through a number of interventions to prevent and counter violent extremism working with government, civil society organisations and traditional and religious leaders, but also more broadly,” he said.

Mignot said the EU would launch projects worth 300 million Euros in grants for the Northwest and the Northeast, most affected by extremism.

According to him, this package of projects covers challenges like quality education and skills development with a particular focus on girls and out-of-school children.

“It also covers access to reproductive and adolescent health, support to IDPs and the poorest and most vulnerable in communities affected by insecurity and climate change, by creating economic opportunities.

“In the Lake Chad Basin, in particular, in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, we are supporting the economic recovery, resilience and social cohesion of communities affected by conflict.

“We are also supporting the development of the pastoral economy and the transboundary water management of the basin,” he said . (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Sadiya Hamza

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