Nigeria Strengthens Counterterrorism Ties with Sahel States

Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), is strengthening ties with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to bolster counterterrorism efforts in West Africa and the Sahel region.

During a study visit by delegates from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to the NCTC in Abuja, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of NCTC, emphasized the need for regional collaboration to combat terrorism effectively.

Enhancing Regional Cooperation

Gen. Laka highlighted the importance of information sharing, resource pooling, and expertise exchange in tackling terrorism. He acknowledged the complex and evolving nature of security threats and stressed that only joint, innovative approaches could effectively counter violent extremism.

He pointed to the successful regional military cooperation between Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic under the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), these nations have significantly weakened Boko Haram by reclaiming key territories and reducing the insurgents’ ability to launch large-scale attacks.

A Comprehensive Approach to Counterterrorism

Gen. Laka explained that Nigeria has adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to counterterrorism. This includes:

• Legal and policy frameworks for countering terrorism and organized crime
• Strategic coordination across different security agencies
• Kinetic (military) and non-kinetic (social, diplomatic, and economic) efforts

Aliyu Gebi, Coordinator of the Fusion Center for Dialogue and Peace Processes, emphasized that while military actions can defeat insurgents, lasting peace can only be achieved through non-kinetic strategies such as community engagement, dialogue, and social reintegration.

“If we come together, this enemy can be defeated, and this enemy has been defeated, but we have not been able to consolidate because we did not have a centre like this one, a centre of excellence that is now regional,” Gebi stated.

The Future of Counterterrorism in West Africa

The visit by Sahel state representatives marks a step towards stronger regional collaboration. By fostering intelligence sharing and coordinated military action, Nigeria and its partners aim to eradicate terrorism and promote long-term peace across the region.