National Security Adviser Urges Ministries Departments and Agencies to Establish National Counter Terrorism Strategy Desks

As part of measures to intensify effort in the fight against terrorism through the Whole-of-Society Approach, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in partnership with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) recently convened a three-day quarterly meeting and training workshop of National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) Secure Pillar to strengthen capacity of the members of National Working Group.

In his keynote address at the event, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to establish desks to drive NACTEST implementation.

The National Security Adviser, who was represented by Brigadier General Emmanuel Ndagi, explained that the NACTEST document which was launched in 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhar i(GCFR), recognised MDAs, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) and other critical stakeholders as its driving force.

He commended NIMASA for partnering with ONSA to convene the workshop as well as the Agency’s contribution towards the fight against terrorism and general insecurity especially in the maritime domain within the country. He furthermore, called on other MDAs to emulate NIMASA by taking practical steps towards implementation of the NACTEST Document in their respective Agencies.

L-R Head NACTEST at Counter Terrorism Centre (CTC) Mr. Alhassan Hussain, representatives of the EU Delegation in Nigeria Mr. Uwe Brettschnader and Principal Staff Officer Liaison-Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Lt Col. Umar F Abubakar.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, represented by Mr. Ali Ndabawa said every effort in the fight against terrorism was required for the overall success of the counter terrorism strategy. He called for collaboration and synergy amongst security agencies as a panacea to defeat terrorism in Nigeria.

The Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre (CCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser, Commodore YEM Musa, reaffirmed ONSA’s unflinching support towards all initiatives aimed at combating terrorism and violent extremism in the country.

He appealed to participants at the workshop to put into practice what they have learnt during a three-day training workshop in order to advance the security in the country.