National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has stated that terrorist networks are taking advantage of weak borders, local grievances, financial loopholes, social media platforms, and online brainwashing to widen their reach throughout the African continent.
He said the evolving threat in Nigeria requires stronger intelligence coordination, sustained partnerships and practical cooperation among African countries and their international partners.
Ribadu stated these on Monday at the headquarters of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Abuja, during the opening session of the High-Level African Lessons Learned Forum on Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, Intelligence Sharing and Emerging Technologies.
The NSA called for stronger global and regional cooperation, intelligence sharing and responsible use of emerging technologies to combat terrorism and violent extremism in Africa.
According to him, Nigeria’s experience over the past 15 years had shown that military operations alone could not provide a sustainable solution to terrorism.
He added that Nigeria had continued to pursue a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism.
“Terrorist groups are exploiting porous borders, local grievances, illicit financial networks, digital platforms, misinformation, online radicalisation and emerging technologies.
“While security operations remain necessary, they must be complemented by intelligence coordination, law enforcement, financial intelligence, justice, strategic communications, prevention, rehabilitation, reintegration, reconciliation, community resilience, education, youth engagement, research, training and technology-enabled analysis,” he said.
The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the forum was designed to help African countries compare experiences, identify effective strategies and strengthen cooperation against terrorism.
Laka said terrorist groups were increasingly exploiting technology, illicit financial flows, corruption and criminal networks to advance their activities.
He stressed that military action must be complemented by prevention, rehabilitation, reintegration, criminal justice and community resilience.
What You Should Know
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has highlighted that tackling terrorism requires much more than just military might. Speaking at an anti-terrorism forum in Abuja, he noted that criminals and insurgents easily manipulate open borders, community frustrations, and digital misinformation to recruit members and fund their activities.
- Positive Impact: Enhanced focus on intelligence sharing, community resilience, and regional cooperation could lead to smarter, more effective security strategies across African nations.
- Potential Concerns: The growing reliance on digital platforms and cross-border criminal networks means security threats remain high, requiring continuous vigilance from both the government and local communities.
