By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders globally in the quest to prevent and counter the use of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, by insurgents in carrying out their nefarious attacks.
The NSA made the call yesterday in his opening address at a stakeholders meeting on “Consolidating Collaborative Efforts to Prevent and Counter the Acquisition and Use of IEDs by Terrorist Groups in West Africa,” holding from May 6 at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, in Abuja.
Ribadu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, Mohammed Danjuma, said “I am honoured to stand before you today at the regional meeting on Countering Improvised Explosive Devices, CIEDs, as we come together to address the pressing need of preventing and countering the acquisition and use of IEDs by terrorist groups in West Africa here at the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our partners, the Global Counter Terrorism Forum, GCTF, West Africa Capacity Building Working Group, International Institute of Justice, IIJ, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, for the collaboration in organising this important meeting. Your dedication to strengthening our collective efforts in combating terrorism is highly commendable.
“This regional meeting serves as a platform for us to share knowledge, best practices and experiences in addressing the threat of CIEDs.
“By bringing together representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, in Nigeria, as well as experts from the West African Region, GCTF member-states and other relevant stakeholders, we aim to develop effective mechanisms to enhance our ability to prevent and counter the use of IEDs.
“The discussions and recommendations that will emerge from this meeting are vital in shaping our strategies and initiatives to safeguard our communities and protect our citizens.
“The threat of terrorism knows no borders and it is only through collaborative efforts such as this that we can effectively confront and defeat this menace,” urging the active participation of all towards finding solutions that would strengthen our counterterrorism capabilities in West Africa.
Also in his opening remarks, the Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued commended Nigeria and the organisers in particular, for organising the event.
He assured of his country’s readiness to stand by Nigeria and sister African countries in the fight against terrorism to achieve lasting security and peace for citizens.
In the same vein, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther expressed regret that the region is increasingly being targeted by expanding terrorist operations, particularly the ones involving the use of IEDs.
He noted that technological advancements tend to jeopardise much of the impressive progress that many countries have made in bringing back stability, including Nigeria, particularly in the case of the three northeastern states of Borno, Yobe Adamawa.
