Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has solicited the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to cut off terrorists financing in Nigeria and the Sahel region.
The Centre stressed the need to combat terrorism financing as the best way to obstruct the terrorist network and effectively fight the menace of terrorism and violent-extremism.
The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, made the call on Monday when he received the Secretary-general of Islamic Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), Saudi Arabia, Major General Mohammed Bin Saeed Al-moghedi, in his office in Abuja.
He said it was only when countries were able to cut off terrorism financing that they would begin to head towards effectively fighting terrorism.
Laka said that since terrorism is a global threat, it must be fought collectively through strong collaborations to obstruct its main source of strength.
He said the NCTC was ready to partner with the IMCTC in the areas of intelligence sharing, training and capacity building.
“Terrorism is something that affects everyone. It doesn’t know any tribe, religion nor race. So the fight should be collective. And every hand must be on deck to fight this threat.
“This visit is highly valued as it will further solidify the cordial and friendly relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the National Counterterrorism Center and the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Center in our joint resolve to combat terrorism on a global scale. As we all know, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have had a very long standing relationship, not only on the fight field.
“The Kingdom’s role in providing training slots for military officers has been long standing, and we would like that to continue,” he said.
He explained that the NCTC was tasked to coordinate all counterterrorism efforts within the country with various directories. “We have intelligence from various security agencies, analyzes them and then directs the appropriate security agency to act.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has played a proactive role in global counterterrorism efforts, particularly through establishing the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Center, which has a significant commitment to its global fight against terrorism. Nigeria will fully support these efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
He expressed Nigeria’s readiness to continue to contribute to further the cause in the fight against terrorism.
“So there are some important issues like intelligence sharing. As I said earlier, terrorism has no borders. So what could be happening in Saudi Arabia today or anywhere in your region would have a direct effect or indirect effect on Nigeria.
“So there is a need for us to share intelligence. And the major thing has to do with terrorism financing. If you could cut off their source of financing, then you would agree headway.
“So there is a critical need to combat terrorism financing as a key component of the obstructing terrorist network. There is a need for us to cooperate in this area. Another area which we are looking at for that collaboration with the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Center is the issue of Nigerian high-level counterterrorism missions, which Saudi Arabia was in attendance.”
The National Coordinator said Nigeria had secured over 300 convictions of terrorists over the years, while those who were found innocent went through a rehabilitation and reintegration programme.
Laka said the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) had in April this year held a high-level African counterterrorism meeting aimed at finding African solutions to African problems.
He said: “At the end of the meeting, the Abuja Declaration was sent to the ECOWAS and the African Union, which they have adopted. And it was presented during UNGA, the United Nations General Assembly, which was presented at the Security Council. And it’s about to be passed. So once this center becomes a regional center of excellence, we see a regional center of excellence for West Africa and the Sahel.
“Because the African Union has its own counterterrorism center, and there are other counterterrorism centers in Afghanistan…we have the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center and other centers.
“So this center is going to be concentrated on the non-kinetic preventive means of preventing terrorism. And we hope to take care of West Africa and the Sahel. So we are in the process of making this place a regional center of excellence. We will also request your support in achieving that.”
In his remarks, the Secretary-General of IMCTC Major General Mohammed Bin Saeed Al-moghedi, said the Centre’s membership cut across every country that intend to fight terrorism.
He commended Nigerian government for the establishment of NCTC, which he said has helped to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.
He assured of the IMCTC readiness to collaborate with NCTC to fight terrorism and violent extremism in the country and across the African continent.
