NCTC Urges Forensic and Non-Military Strategies in Regional Fight Against Terrorism
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major General Adamu Garba Laka, has called for the adoption of forensic and non-military strategies to strengthen the fight against emerging terrorist groups in West Africa.
He made the call on Wednesday at the opening of the Regional Conference on Combating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS Region and the Sahel, held at Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
General Laka warned that groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, JNIM, AQIM, and the Lakurawa Group continue to exploit weak governance, porous borders, and political instability.
He also highlighted the increasing use of digital platforms to radicalize and recruit youths.
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“The realities before us are stark. Lives are lost, communities displaced, and economies disrupted. These groups are multiplying and adapting rapidly. Our response must match their resilience with innovation, collaboration, and regional coordination,” General Laka said.
The conference, organized in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission, aligns with the ECOWAS Plan of Action (2020–2024) and Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Strategy.
It follows directives from the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit of December 2024, which called for operationalizing the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Force, mobilizing sustainable funding, and enhancing cross-border cooperation.
General Laka stressed that no single country can defeat terrorism alone. He praised the African Union, United Nations, European Union, and development partners for their support.
He also emphasized engaging civil society, youth, religious leaders, academia, and media in preventing radicalization and building resilient communities.
The conference will examine the evolving threat landscape, provide a roadmap for intelligence sharing, operationalize the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Force, and explore strategies to include youth and civil society in regional security.
A communique with actionable recommendations is expected at the end of the two-day event.
By PRNigeria
