A cross section of some of the participants at the workshop.
The National Coordinator, NCTC Rear Admiral YEM Musa, rtd. (Middle) in a photograph with the workshop facilitators.
Consequent upon the Security Defence Partnership (SDP) agreement entered into by the United Kingdom and Nigeria in February 2022, the UK Government through the British High Commission in Nigeria and the National Crime Agency – (BHC/NCA) were committed to creating a Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion cell in collaboration with ONSA. This eventually led to the scoping visit to London by representatives from ONSA, DSS and NPF. The success of this visit shaped the roadmap which would lead to the creation of the Anti-Kidnap Multi-Agency Fusion Cell that have taken place here in the Office of the National security Adviser.
Participants and facilitators at the workshop in a group photograph.
In December 2022 a workshop attended by 16 Nigerian stakeholders identified the key areas for development of this proposal. Following agreement between the ONSA and the NCA a series of workshops planned between April and November 2023 were scheduled.
A cross section of some of the participants at the workshop.
Two workshops held between 6th and 9th Juneat the NCTC, looked at Command and Control in the context of the Muti-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell approach. The objective of these and subsequent workshops was to deliver a holistic participation amongst the agencies. It was designed to bring about multi-Agency collaboration, synergy, oneness for a seamless, symbiotic relationship in the operation of the agencies saddled with the responsibility of securing the nation on the issue of criminality and other organized crimes, particularly kidnapping.
Chris Grimson (NCA) posing in a photograph with Mr. Segun Imohiosen on NCTC, ONSA during the workshop.
More workshops are designed on the subject to take place in the cause of the year between July, September, October and November 2023 to further deepen collaboration amongst the agencies to allow for more intelligence sharing, planning and the execution at the theatre of operation. Protect & Prepare UK Ltd a specialist contractor with experience in civil contingency planning and counter terrorism training were identified as a key partner to deliver the program of activity and achieve success in the initiative. These roundtable workshops initially brought together leaders of security Agencies and now, the operational personnel to chart the way forward for implementation of the recommendations that will eventually emanate from the series of the workshop slated to hold in the year.
Facilitators at the workshop: L-R: Mark Scoular (P&P); David Umaru (NCTC), Paul Burnham (P&P), Leye Jaiyeola (rtd Rear Admiral), Chris Grimson (NCA) and Segun Imohiosen (NCTC).
This is to ensure that best practices regarding addressing kidnapping is shared amongst participants. Roundtable discussions within the workshops will be held to discuss critical issues which will lead to a framework for the launch of the multi-agency fusion cell, tactical operational capability, structure of the multi-agency fusion cell, communications and media, staffing and equipment requirements including a common intelligence sharing platforms, as well as causes, prevention, prosecution and mitigation of the threat of kidnapping in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator, NCTC Rear Admiral YEM Musa, rtd. (right) receiving his certificate of participation at the workshop.
A cross section of some of the participants.