We have and will continue to take bold steps forward in safeguarding our nation and the wider region
By Moses Okorie
President Bola Tinubu has restated the commitment of Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, saying his government will continue to take bold steps in safeguarding the nation and the wider region.
The president stated this in an address at the High-Level Summit on counterterrorism in Abuja on Tuesday, adding that terrorism and violent extremism are most urgent national security threat, and promised that no stone would be left unturned in nipping it in the bud.
“Our counter-terrorism capabilities have been enhanced through enactment of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, establishing the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). We have and will continue to take bold steps forward in safeguarding our nation and the wider region.
“Dedicated to coordinating and implementing counter-terrorism strategies, the NCTC significantly enhances our capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist threats. The Centre has become a platform; fostering greater collaboration among stakeholders and promoting synergy in our approach to fighting terrorism.
“Similarly, our security forces continue to demonstrate courage and dedication in the fight against terrorism, often at great personal risk. I am grateful to the selfless work and sacrifice of these patriotic men and women. They are the best of the best.
“I must also mention the ongoing need to halt the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) on the continent.
“No one state can solve this problem for itself. It requires continuous and concerted action by all of us. We need to reposition our regional organisations and build the capacity of our national institutions to effectively address this element of terrorism and violent extremism”.
The president revealed that this violent threat seeks to frighten the farmer from his field, children from their schools, women from the marketplace and families from their very homes, the city dweller to cower, businesses to close.
He said that the goal of terrorism and violent extremism is to cause havoc to the democratic principles, put societies and governments into such confusion and disarray and the people begin fighting among themselves instead of fighting the crimes.
The president added that already terrorism has taken too many lives and delayed better future for too long.