By Saadatu Albashir
President Bola Tinubu has advocated for the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism centre while also advocating for the strengthening of existing structures such as the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU) and the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT).
This, the president said, would enhance intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building across the continent
Addressing attendees at the African High-Level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja on Monday, President Tinubu stressed the need for Africa to adopt a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism and emphasised that addressing the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, inequality, and social injustice, is essential alongside military action.
Highlighting the evolving tactics of terrorist organisations, the president emphasised the importance of tackling the financial sources that sustain terrorism, including ransom and illegal mining.
Speaking on Nigeria’s efforts, President Tinubu highlighted the enactment of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act and the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) as measures to enhance the nation’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
He called on the international community to support African nations in this endeavour, asserting that external finance fuels illegal operations.
FRCN
