NewStats: 3,264,011 , 8,182,257 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 09:46 AM 572n

The National Counter Terrorism Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Alliance of Sahel States – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – to effectively combat terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel region.

Speaking during a study visit of delegates from the three nations to the NCTC in Abuja on Thursday, the National Coordinator, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

The visit comes at a critical time, as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States, raising concerns about worsening insecurity in the region.

Last week, Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, warned that the exit of the three countries had increased the security burden on Nigeria’s military.

“The recent withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States from ECOWAS has disrupted existing security frameworks. This development has direct implications for the Multinational t Task Force, which has played a crucial role in countering Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon,” Abubakar stated during a first-quarter meeting with senior Air Force officials in Abuja.

Speaking on Thursday, the NCTC coordinator, Laka, noted that the study tour by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso delegates aimed to enhance knowledge sharing, promote teamwork, and strengthen social skills among regional security actors.

“As you are aware, cooperation in counterterrorism efforts is essential as it allows countries to share information, resources, and expertise,” he said. “The challenges we face in countering terrorism are multifaceted and complex, requiring innovative approaches and steadfast determination. By coming together in this spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, we strengthen our resolve and enhance our capabilities to effectively counter terrorism.”

Laka highlighted the existing military collaboration between Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic, particularly through the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

He credited the MNJTF for dislodging Boko Haram from its former strongholds and significantly degrading its capacity to launch large-scale attacks.

He also reaffirmed that the Office of the National Security Adviser had adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure a coordinated response to terrorism and serious organised crime.

Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy, he said, has evolved over the years to focus on legal, policy, and strategic frameworks.

The Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of West African Defence Chiefs, Gen. Christopher Musa, announced plans to visit Mali and Burkina Faso soon, saying that Nigeria had no intention of waging war against the two nations.

Musa, who visited Niger last year, expressed eagerness to visit Mali and Burkina Faso, stressing the need for unity in the face of shared security threats.

He also called for a concerted effort to disrupt illegal mining operations, which he identified as a major source of funding for terrorist groups.

Musa said, “I visited Niger last year and was warmly received. I look forward to visiting Mali and Burkina Faso as well. We must remain united.

“We must stop them from accessing funds. We need to prevent foreign partners from ing them. This is crucial in our fight against terrorism.”

Expressing his delight at the meeting, the CDS stressed the importance of regional cooperation in tackling security challenges.

“It gladdens my heart to have people from the AES countries here. It shows how important it is for us to work together. It is only by working together that we can defeat these enemies of peace. These individuals have no respect for life, borders, or human rights. All they seek is destruction, especially within the Sahel region,” Musa said.

He stressed that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have historical and cultural ties.

“If you look at our way of life – whether in Nigeria, Mali, or Niger – we are one and the same. The only difference is the borders drawn during colonial times. Our culture, attitudes, and behaviors are similar. This meeting is a testament to the fact that we are not enemies but brothers and sisters,” he stated.

Musa noted that the meeting would not have been possible if their junta leaders had not permitted it.

He said, “Of course, they would not have been here if they didn’t have the of their commanders. So they understand that they understand that peace is more important than war.”

Speaking on Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, Musa stated that the country since independence had been providing to African countries during crises.

He said, “Over time, Nigeria has remained a peaceful country and has always meant well for its neighbors. There have been attempts to portray us as enemies, but we will never be enemies. Our presence here today is proof that we are brothers and sisters. We will not wage war against each other.

“Once again, I am pleased with this meeting. To our brothers from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali – we are one family. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Since independence, Nigeria has always stepped in to assist African nations in times of crisis.

“During apartheid, we welcomed South Africans here. When Liberia was in turmoil, Charles Taylor found refuge in Nigeria. Even now, the former president of Sierra Leone is here. Nigeria has always been a peaceful nation, and we intend to remain that way.”

The team lead, Aliyu Gebi, called for collaboration to keep countries safer.

He said, “We are safer and stronger when we work together. what happens in Mali,Niger and Burkina Faso resonates in Nigeria.

“I commend the Nigerian military for winning the war against insurgents but we need to harmonise strategies towards winning peace.”

He said the team was in Nigeria to study how to connect kinetic and non-kinetic operations to win peace.

https://punchng.com/counter-terrorism-bfaso-mali-niger-delegates-visit-nigeria/?amp

Small boys running back to Daddy.. Yeah, I know, Bitter People will be clenching their fists right now and boiling inside.



After God, na Tinubu 💪 God bless Nigeria

“During apartheid, we welcomed South Africans here. When Liberia was in turmoil, Charles Taylor found refuge in Nigeria. Even now, the former president of Sierra Leone is here. Nigeria has always been a peaceful nation, and we intend to remain that way.”

WannaHowzit, Samantha125 kingcold jaceblaze randdigital Lionessza6 Irongalaxy

After their initial gra gra, they can't do without Nigeria - Fact.



-Kiss the truth!

Prodigal Children. Una go calm dan las las

Very important
Coordinator between countries to combat terror agents,sponsors is necessary

One by one dem don dey come to Zandy.

But sha make dem fight these Kidnapping Menace.
Then, make Nigeria FG organize how we go take pursue Ip*B go back their region and give them wetin dem dey claim say them want.

So that Ekpa and Nnamdi can be their President and VP.

The real country of Obidients 😆


With the way Obidients were hyping them ,one will think they would have all relocated to bukina faso by now

If you look at our way of life – whether in Nigeria, Mali, or Niger – we are one and the same. The only difference is the borders drawn during colonial times. Our culture, attitudes, and behaviors are similar. This meeting is a testament to the fact that we are not enemies but brothers and sisters,” he stated.

Tinubu has their balls where are those singing praises for those Juntas after their initial gra gra. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are just like a LG to Nigeria. Those countries can't breathe without Nigeria kiss the truth

Like a prodigal son going back to his father

Initial gra-gra.
Now they run back to daddy. Nigeria is to so important to other Africa country survival.
If not for president Tinubu magnanimity, Nigeria should have cut Niger off Nigeria grid, stop supply food and fuel to them . Watch bleed 🩸

Comedian Traore, hero of Obidients. Let's see how far his acting can last. . I sight you Ribadu, our president 2031

It is what it is

Noted.

So they can visit Nigeria?

Daft....as usual, making stupid meanings off irrelevant things. That visit was a customary one by ordinary low level officials. Those guys have left ECOWAS for good, of course under the terrible leadership of the certificate forger

...but wait, what will you make of your Chief of Defence Staff running to Niger last year to appease them? Or you did not read the part where your CDS is stylishly appealing for a visa to visit those sahel countries that have left ECOWAS?

PressMumubutton

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Small boys running back to Daddy.. Yeah, I know, Bitter People will be clenching their fists right now and boiling inside.



After God, na Tinubu 💪 God bless Nigeria

All this dictators
Make them no come teach our military bad things o

Nonsense visit ,Musa can consider himself to be one with them from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger republic,they are components of Songhai empire....but we in the South and middle belts are not ,I still say it the worst form of democratic Government is better than best military Government..this guys military personnel are being taken out by Islamic militants ,the same militants that they accused their various Civilian Government of not doing enough to arm them to defeat them,now they are in charge and nothing has changed..

The sharia council of Nigeria just ed closure of schools during Ramadan..I have nwver heard those people issue Fatwa against Islamic insurgency..so how will militancy in Sahel stop when now it has turn into a business..the core leaders in the Islamic communities are afraid,Muric can't issue threat on Iswap or boko Haram..nor can NSCIA issue a strong fatwa that any Muslim that kills a boko Haram member is doing honorable killing etc..

PressMyButton:
Small boys running back to Daddy.. Yeah, I know, Bitter People will be clenching their fists right now and boiling inside.



After God, na Tinubu 💪 God bless Nigeria

Really?!! You placed Tinubu ahead of the very parents that gave birth to you?!!

Why exactly?!!

I mean... Tinubu no even send any of us.

They can't win without Us .... We lead !!!

We're Nigerian .... you deh wyn ?

Nigeria has been championing security and political stability in west Africa for years, even before all these current juntas were born.

Synergy.
The only way to beat these roaches called terrorists is a cohesive synergy between all the West African countries.
Period!!

Islamabad miscreants won't be happy

Hummn, I a see things happening in the nearest future.. I hope it's peace ✌️, unity and progress.

PressMyButton:


https://punchng.com/counter-terrorism-bfaso-mali-niger-delegates-visit-nigeria/?amp

Since they left ECOWAS has has Mali and Niger achieved

Laslas they are still using curreny

Angelfrost:


Really?!! You placed Tinubu ahead of the very parents that gave birth to you?!!

Why exactly?!!

I mean... Tinubu no even send any of us.

Let him be streaming his stupidity. Tinubu is just a boy in the hands of the abalayes. If no be stupidity wey dey speak - how can you say after God na tinubu?