Terrorists leveraging on new technologies – NCTC

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), says terrorist groups are now using modern technologies and exploiting socio-political vulnerabilities to continue their nefarious activities in the country. The centre also said while the kinetic operations remain crucial in dismantling terrorists’ networks, it is essential to address the root […]

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), says terrorist groups are now using modern technologies and exploiting socio-political vulnerabilities to continue their nefarious activities in the country.

The centre also said while the kinetic operations remain crucial in dismantling terrorists’ networks, it is essential to address the root causes of radicalisation, adding that the dynamic nature of the threat landscape necessitates a comprehensive review.

The National Coordinator, Adamu Garba Laka, a Major-General in the Nigerian Army, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, when he spoke at the Stakeholders’ Meeting on the review of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) 2016.

The senior military officer explained that the review of the counterterrorism document would ensure continued effectiveness in countering terrorism in the country, stressing that it was in a bid of its renewed efforts to enhance its operations.

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“The strategy was first published in 2016, and despite its relevance at the time, it has not undergone a review to reflect the evolving security landscape. As we all know, the threats we faced in 2016, and those we anticipated then, are quite different from the realities of today’s security environment.

“Terrorist groups have adopted their tactics, leveraged new technologies and exploited socio-political vulnerabilities. This dynamic nature of the threat landscape necessitates a comprehensive review of NACTEST to ensure its continued effectiveness in countering terrorism in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the Centre convened the meeting to engage all stakeholders in reviewing the strategy and adapting it to the current security dynamics.

He added, “This review is particularly important as we have come to understand the necessity of a more holistic and non-kinetic approach to counterterrorism.

“While kinetic operations remain crucial in dismantling terrorist networks, we recognise that addressing the root causes of radicalisation is most essential.”

Speaking earlier, the Director of Policy and Strategy at the NCTC, Commodore Ahmad Madawaki said that the implementation of NACTEST was the responsibility of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with NCTC as a coordinating body.

He stated: “The reorganisation of MDAs due to the Orosanye Report brought about the overhaul of Nigeria’s public sector, which proposed the abolition of some MDAs and the merging of others.

“This development calls for stock-taking of NACTEST’s stakeholder list. Additionally, there have been new terrorism threats like the recent formation of the Lakurawa armed group in the north-west region.

On his part, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the Centre over its coordinated activities towards fighting terrorism in the country, which had yielded meaningful results in recent times.