He stressed the importance of cutting off the financial lifelines that fuel terrorist activities, such as ransom payments and illegal mining operations.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – President Bola Tinubu has called for a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism across Africa, including the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism centre that will strengthen the fight against terrorism by serving as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building throughout Africa.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday. April 22, 2024, in Abuja.
He stated that President Tinubu , who was speaking at the African High-level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja, emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, not only through military might but by addressing the root causes which include poverty, inequality, and social injustice.
Tinubu, he continued, also stressed the importance of cutting off the financial lifelines that fuel terrorist activities, such as ransom payments and illegal mining operations.
The president lamented that “billions upon billions of dollars that legitimate governments should be using to sculpt better societies by providing education, healthcare, and food for its people now go to pay for weapons and response to mayhem.”
While calling on the international community to provide support in addressing these issues, he stated, “The international community has both the moral and legal obligation to help in this cause because it is external finance, not African money, that fuels these illegal operations. We shall be knocking on the door of the international community to answer this call for justice, peace, and fair play.”
Tinubu, while making remarks on Nigeria’s efforts, assured that “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.”