Amid the rising use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by insurgent groups, Nigeria has urged countries in West Africa and the Sahel to strengthen cooperation to tackle the evolving threat.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre – Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, made the call at the closing of a five-day Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Baseline Self-Assessment Workshop, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service and the British High Commission.
In his remarks, Laka commended participants for their professionalism, technical expertise and commitment, noting that the networks established during the workshop would enhance collaboration among the Armed Forces, security agencies and international partners involved in counter-IED efforts.
He warned that insurgent groups continue to adapt and refine their use of IEDs, stressing the need for sustained innovation, intelligence sharing and coordinated action to effectively counter the threat.
Laka also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with the United Nations and the British High Commission to host a regional seminar that would bring together security personnel from across West Africa and the Sahel to share experiences and best practices.
He further commended participants, noting that the workshop achieved in five days what would normally take about two weeks, laying a solid foundation for the development of a strategic national roadmap to address the IED threat.
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