Co-ordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (CTC), Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka has said that experience in counter-terrorism operations over the years has shown that a lasting solution lies in addressing the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism.
Laka said that fighting terrorism requires robust non-kinetic measures that foster dialogue, reconciliation, education, economic empowerment, social cohesion, and community resilience.
In an address of welcome at the start of a two-day conference on Combating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS and Sahel Region, Laka said Nigeria has been focusing 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.
The conference was organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission
“With the support of government and development partners, we continue to invest in livelihoods, youth and women empowerment, and education. In parallel, we uphold the criminal justice system and the rule of law in our counterterrorism efforts.”
According to him, sustainable security is not about military actions but about winning hearts and minds, restoring trust in governance, and investing in human development and the rule of law in our counterterrorism efforts.
“This conference, therefore, forms part of the noble steps we are taking to consolidate the vision of the Regional Centre of Excellence, deepen regional cooperation, and translate shared commitments into concrete actions.
“Over the next two days, plenary sessions and expert panels will critically examine the evolving threat landscape, explore innovative approaches, and strengthen collaboration.
“This Conference is expected to yield: A comprehensive situational analysis of the new and emerging terrorist groups operating in our region.
“Renewed commitment to operationalise the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Force and ensure it is adequately resourced. A clear roadmap for enhancing intelligence sharing and securing our porous borders. Practical strategies for mainstreaming youth, civil society, and media actors into the regional security architecture.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the conference comes at an important time in the collective struggle against terrorism and violent extremism, as across the region, terrorist and insurgent groups continued to exploit porous borders, ungoverned spaces, and local grievances to spread instability.
Represented by Maj. Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Defence Operations, the CDS noted that the non-state actors do not respect national boundaries.
Their operations, he said, ranged from kidnappings and banditry to transnational trafficking and violent radicalisation, which pose direct threats to individual states, security, and stability of West Africa and the Sahel as a whole.
“For Nigeria, the Armed Forces have been at the forefront of confronting these threats. From sustained counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North East, to combating banditry in the North West and violent extremism in the North Central, our troops continue to make sacrifices to safeguard lives and preserve stability.
“Beyond our borders, Nigeria has remained deeply committed to multinational efforts, particularly through the Multi-National Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin, as well as ECOWAS and African Union peace support frameworks. These engagements, though demanding, underscore our enduring responsibility not only to secure Nigeria, but also to contribute to regional and continental peace,” he said.
Musa said that though battlefield victories are necessary, they alone cannot guarantee lasting peace, adding that sustainable security requires strategic-level cooperation.
He said kinetic operations must be completed with non-kinetic measures, ranging from civil–military cooperation to counter-radicalisation, peace building, and humanitarian support for affected communities.
The CDS recalled that last week, African Defence Chiefs met in Abuja in a historic summit to chart a new course for continental security cooperation.
“The message from that engagement was unmistakable: Africa’s security challenges demand African-led solutions anchored on trust, solidarity, and partnership.
“It is therefore my firm belief that this conference will build on that momentum, translating our shared vision into coordinated, practical outcomes that strengthen resilience against terrorism and guarantee sustainable security for our people.”
