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Tag: National Counter Terrorism Centre

  • ONSA debunks claims of arming group to fight banditry

    ONSA debunks claims of arming group to fight banditry

    The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has debunked the claims that the ONSA supplied arms to a socio-cultural organisation to fight banditry.

    The NCTC was reacting to reports on some online platforms that a member of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, who was arrested in Kwara State, was allegedly found in possession of a rifle reportedly issued by the ONSA for security operations in the state.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Head of Strategic Communications, Abu Michael, the centre said the Federal Government and its agencies do not conduct kinetic operations with any socio-cultural groups, contrary to claims circulating in online reports.

    The statement noted that pursuant to Part III, sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, the NCTC coordinate and support law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies in countering all forms of terrorism in Nigeria.

    The stateent explained that, in line with the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), Nigeria’s kinetic approach includes the deployment of hybrid forces. This involves the coordinated use of regular security forces and trained irregular auxiliaries—such as hunters and vigilante groups—to operate in difficult terrains, including forest areas.

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    According to the statement, this approach previously guided the engagement of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the North East. The CJTF comprised trained civilian volunteers who worked alongside the Armed Forces in operations against Boko Haram.

    “The same strategy currently informs hybrid deployments in parts of the North West and North Central. These operations are aimed at degrading the capabilities of bandit, criminal, and terrorist groups. This approach has yielded several successful outcomes,” the statement said.

    It explained that all hybrid personnel are recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies following due diligence, and that all operations are conducted in accordance with the law and established standard operating procedures.

    “The situation in Kwara State is not different. However, media reports on the matter are inaccurate. The limited public information is due to the sensitive nature of these operations. Details are restricted to prevent operational compromise and to protect the safety of personnel and auxiliary forces,” the statement said.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government and its agencies are not conducting kinetic operations with any socio-cultural groups.

    “Claims that the Office of the National Security Adviser has provided arms to any socio-cultural organisation are false and should be disregarded.”

    The NCTC urged Nigerians to disregard unverified reports that misrepresent the conduct of these operations.

    It also cautioned the media to exercise responsibility, protect sensitive security information, and seek clarification through designated official spokespersons.

    “The National Counter Terrorism Centre remains committed to an open-door policy to deepen stakeholder understanding of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts,” the statement added.

  • UPDATED: Kidnap for ransom drops by 16.3 percent, says NCTC

    UPDATED: Kidnap for ransom drops by 16.3 percent, says NCTC

    The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said that kidnapping for ransom has dropped by 16.3 percent in 2024, compared to the previous year.

    National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, announced this on Thursday while giving an update on the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC).

    The MAAKFC was established at the NCTC in December last year as a crucial initiative that brings together different agencies to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to combat kidnapping in the country.

    Maj.-Gen. Laka said while the kidnap incidences have reduced, the number of victims increased by 0.27 percent in 2024.

    He said that Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara top the states with high kidnap incidents.

    The NCTC boss said the successes were recorded as a result of efforts by the current administration under the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

    The counter-terrorism chief, however, noted that kidnapping for ransom still posed a significant security challenge in 2024 with non-state actors such as bandits, terrorists, cultists, militants, and secessionist groups exploiting the crime for pecuniary gains and funding illicit activities.

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    He said: “Despite some improvements, the menace remains a serious threat to national security, socio-economic activities, and food production across the country.

    Laka explained that a trend analysis had revealed that sustained payment of ransom fuelled kidnapping, adding that perpetrators exploit families’ fears to demand exorbitant ransom.

    He said: “Kidnapping incidents in 2024 occurred in rural and urban communities, targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential areas. Despite measures taken towards reducing incidents, mass abductions persisted, leaving agrarian communities deserted, disrupting food production, and driving food prices higher.

    “The sustained payment of ransom fuelled the crime, as perpetrators exploit families’ fears to demand exorbitant sums.”

    The NCTC boss said the government is employing both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to combat the menace and has achieved significant results, which include rescuing hostages, and neutralizing, and arresting kidnapping kingpins.

    Speaking on efforts by the centre to reduce the menace of kidnapping in 2025, he said the centre would strengthen its counter-kidnapping initiatives which include operationalizing the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell.

    Laka added that the centre would also improve collaborations with the 36 state governments, and reinforce public confidence in government protection to discourage ransom payments.

    He said that the centre would also engage state governments to address unemployment and economic vulnerabilities that drive individuals to crime.

    “Communities affected by mass abductions must be supported to restore livelihoods and food production, preventing further socio-economic disruptions,” he said.

    While urging Nigerians to have confidence in security agencies, Laka announced that the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCTC) has facilitated an emergency response number 112 for Nigerians to call when faced with security challenges.

    The NCTC boss urged the public to report suspicious activities, crimes, and kidnappings by calling the toll-free number 112.

  • IEDs informants our biggest challenges in terrorism battle, says CDS

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said that the increasing use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorists, as well as the support provided to them by informants, are significant obstacles in the fight against terrorism in the country.

    General Musa said this on Tuesday, November 26, at a two-day symposium on Security and Justice for the military and security agencies organized by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja.

    The CDS said that the country’s security challenges could better be addressed by ensuring that every citizen has a sense of belonging.

    He said: “All the challenges we are facing today have to do with justice, securing peace, ensuring justice, protection, conduct, and accountability. There will not be peace if there is no fairness, equity, and justice anywhere in any society. So I’m happy this has been brought here, and I’m sure the discussions will bring out the relevance of these issues that we will tackle.

    “Nigeria is going through so many challenges, and I feel we will be able to address this if everybody feels a sense of belonging, a lot of the security challenges we are having, I am sure, will go down.

    “For us in the Armed Forces during our operations, the challenges we are facing, IEDs. IEDs have been the major challenge since the beginning of the insurgency. So we are looking at aspects of how we handle this, what solutions, and what new things can we do.

    “Because you have to be creative. To fight this insurgency, you have to be creative and innovative every day. Because they are not relenting.

    “The issue of Informants. We have to look at how we tackle this issue of informants. Because these are the people who have created the issue.

    “Those supporting the terrorists by giving them logistics, we have to look for the oxygen. Where is the funding? How are they getting the logistics across? As the theatre commander in the Northeast, we found out that if we are able to deny them this logistics, this oxygen, they will not survive. We did that, and that’s why you have almost 200,000 that have surrendered.

    “So, I think if we replicate that all over, we will have very good results. It is also very important that we work together as a team. All security agencies.”

    General Musa emphasized the strategy of all of society’s approaches to end terrorism and violent extremism in the country.

    He said: “We cannot do it alone without the public. So the citizens must be sensitized, and that comes about the issue of strategic communication.

    “I have observed that with asymmetrical challenges we are facing if you don’t communicate, you might be doing the right thing, but the perception might be different. And the enemy is working on that. So it’s important that we get that part of that.

    “And we cannot work in isolation as a country. We need our international partners working together with us. Our neighbours are also very relevant to us.”

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the symposium was a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration among security and justice institutions with the objective “to delve into the successes, challenges, and opportunities for growth within the realms of security and justice.”

    According to the NSA, the symposium would provide an avenue to review and map existing frameworks, evaluate institutional practices, establish collaborative mechanisms, and chart a course towards a safer and more just society for all.

    Ribadu said: “As we embark on this journey of critical analysis and discussion, let us keep in mind the noble goals set before us, from analyzing and strengthening the intricate relationship between military operations and law enforcement to enhancing the protection of civilians (very important) and fostering a culture of justice and accountability to promoting a unified approach in countering improvised explosive devices.

    “Each objective is poised to make a significant impact. Our intended achievements are ambitious, of course, yet entirely within our reach.”

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    The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, emphasized that security challenges in Nigeria and across the African continent are complex and, hence require a multifaceted approach.

    He commended the leadership of Nigeria for prioritizing both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in fighting terrorism.

    He said: “This symposium was part of a security and defence partnership that was first initiated some years ago but was renewed under the National Security Adviser leadership in February this year.

    “I think we have had a good dialogue on the fact that we all face complex security challenges in many parts of the world, certainly in the West Africa region and even in Nigeria. And these complex challenges require a multifaceted approach.

    “I am really delighted to hear General Musa, talk about the nexus between civil and military collaboration, between kinetic and non-kinetic action, and this is an area where we have seen some really important lessons for us emerge from the Nigerian security architecture and from Nigeria’s leadership today, and it’s inspiring to be working along with them.”

  • FG seeks stronger collaboration to cut off terrorism financing

    FG seeks stronger collaboration to cut off terrorism financing

    The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has 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.

    It said it was only when countries were able to cut off terrorism financing that they began to head towards effectively fighting terrorism.

    The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka said this on Monday when he received the Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in Saudi Arabia at his office in Abuja.

    Gen. Laka said 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.

    Laka said: “Terrorism is something that affects everyone. It doesn’t know any tribe, religion, or race. So the fight should be collective. And every hand must be on deck to fight this threat.

    “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. 

    “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 will get ahead.

    “Another area which we are looking at for that collaboration with the IMCTC is the issue of Nigerian high-level counter-terrorism missions, which Saudi Arabia was in attendance.

    “The Kingdom’s role in providing training slots for military officers has been long-standing, and we would like that to continue.

    “I am aware that four Nigerian military officers are with you. We have had discussions with the chief of defence staff, the NSA, even the minister of defence, on the need to send another set of officers to the IMCTC.”

    He said the Secretary-General’s visits were “highly valued” as it would further solidify the cordial and friendly relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and the resolve of the two countries to combat terrorism on a global scale. 

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    The National Coordinator said Nigeria had secured over 200 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 Advisor had in April this year held a high-level African counterterrorism meeting aimed at finding African solutions to African problems. He said Nigeria had presented the recommendation of the meeting to the United Nations General Assembly for adoption and, when passed, would transform the NCTC into a counter-terrorism centre for Africa and the Sahel.

    He said: “Once the resolution is passed, this centre is going to concentrate 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 centre of excellence, and we will also request your support in achieving that.”

    Secretary-General of IMCTC, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Bin Saheed Al-Moghedi, said the Centre’s membership cut across every country that intends to fight terrorism.

    He commended the Nigerian government for the establishment of NCTC, which he said has helped to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.

    He assured of the IMCTC’s readiness to collaborate with NCTC to fight terrorism and violent extremism in the country and across the African continent.