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Defence Minister Matawalle Applauds IMCTC’s Counterterrorism Training for Nigerian Armed Forces
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has expressed appreciation to the Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) for the training programs offered to the Nigerian Armed Forces to strengthen their counterterrorism capabilities.
Dr. Matawalle made the remarks during his official visit to the IMCTC headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The visit underscores Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities and fostering international collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
In a statement signed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday by the Minister’s Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Dr. Matawalle highlighted the significant impact of the IMCTC’s training initiatives on the operational readiness of Nigeria’s military.
“The various types of training provided by the IMCTC have been instrumental in improving the capacity of our armed forces to combat terrorism,” Dr. Matawalle said.
He praised the Coalition’s commitment to global peace and security and emphasized Nigeria’s continued partnership with the organization.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Matawalle is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the areas of defense and counterterrorism cooperation.
The IMCTC, headquartered in Riyadh, is an intergovernmental alliance of Muslim-majority countries dedicated to combating terrorism through intelligence sharing, training, and joint operations.
Nigeria has been an active participant in the coalition, benefiting from its strategic programs aimed at tackling the evolving threats of terrorism.
The training provided by the IMCTC has helped Nigeria adopt modern counterterrorism strategies and enhance inter-agency collaboration within the armed forces.
Meanwhile, Since minister of Defence for state assumed,the Nigerian Armed Forces have made significant progress in curbing terrorism, thanks in part to partnerships with international organizations like the IMCTC.
The Minister’s visit is seen as a step towards reinforcing these partnerships and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
“These collaborations are critical for regional stability and the global fight against terrorism,” said a security analyst in Abuja.
Dr. Matawalle’s engagements in Riyadh are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s international defense partnerships, ensuring that the country remains at the forefront of efforts to combat terrorism and promote global peace.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said Nigeria stands to lose a lot if Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso do not return to democratic rule.
Following the military takeovers, the three countries exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023.
Speaking at the weekend on Prime Time, a programme of ARISE NEWS Channel, General Musa said leadership failure in the three countries will have a direct impact on Nigeria.
“As I said, we have issues of poverty in West Africa – a lot of governance issues, challenges with Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso. They are taking a lot of heat, and that is because the areas are large; there is a lot of poverty within those areas; climate change is one major issue on the ground, and lack of political will is causing these issues,” Musa said.
“And those are the things trying to pour into Nigeria. Whatever effort we are making, as long as these things are there, it is going to be a challenge.
“The truth about it is that, especially for these three countries, they must get their leadership right, and then they can do a lot. And, that is why for us in Nigeria, we have a lot to lose if they do not get it right —they must have a democratic system that will be able to assist them in making decisions that will help the country.”
Musa said the federal government is making efforts to strengthen border management between Nigeria and the three countries to avert security threats.
Speaking on the latest global terrorism index, the CDS said that although the report placed Nigeria in the sixth position, there has been significant improvement in security in the country.
“And that is why the federal government is moving up, to make sure that we have a very wonderful border management system because we have to protect our borders,” he said.
“I will not speak for West Africa; I will speak for Nigeria. In 2024, we had the least number of attacks within the country. Things are improving. Yes, we still have isolated issues. But I can tell you the troops are putting in their best.
“If you move around the country, you would see that a lot of things have improved; farmers are going back to their farms, there is a lot of peace. Nigerians know that things are improving; we need to join hands together to do more.
“Like I said, we have issues of poverty in West Africa, a lot of governance issues, challenges with Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso. They are taking a lot of heat, and that is because the areas are large; there is a lot of poverty within those areas, climate change is one major issue on the ground, and lack of political will is causing these issues,” Musa said.
“And those are the things trying to pour into Nigeria. Whatever effort we are making, as long as these things are there, it is going to be a challenge.
“The truth about it is that, especially for these three countries, they must get their leadership right, and then they can do a lot. And, that is why for us in Nigeria, we have a lot to lose if they do not get it right —they must have a democratic system that will be able to assist them in making decisions that will help the country,” he added.
Musa said the federal government is making efforts to strengthen border management between Nigeria and the three countries to avert security threats.
Police command in Lagos has detained a 25-year-old woman for allegedly conspiring with her brother and another accomplice to rob her boyfriend of three iPhones and bitcoins worth about N15 million.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to journalists in Lagos on Saturday.
He stated that the complainant reported the case at Okota Police Division on Feb. 17.
“Upon receiving the report, the woman was apprehended,” Hundeyin said.
He added that, following her confessional statement, officers tracked and arrested her 22-year-old younger brother.
“Both of them confessed to the crime,” the spokesperson confirmed.
Hundeyin stated that all the stolen phones and N6.5 million had been recovered and registered with the exhibit keeper.
He added that investigations were ongoing to arrest the remaining gang members.
The Pan Delta Forum (PANDEF) youth wing has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, to retract his disparaging remarks against the Ijaw nation and PANDEF leaders.
According to the youth wing’s national president, Doben Donyegha, Wike’s remarks were embarrassing and annoying, especially coming less than 24 hours after PANDEF’s delegation met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Donyegha also called on President Tinubu to sack Wike from his cabinet, stating that the youth wing no longer had confidence in him.
Furthermore, Donyeha urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate Wike over allegations of land-grabbing activities in the FCT.