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Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, yesterday, assumed office as the new National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), with a pledge to sustain the commitment in the fight against terrorism in the country.
Laka took over from retired Rear Adm. Yaminu Musa, who had been in the saddle at the centre since 2016.
President Bola Tinubu had, on March 26, approved the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Laka as NCTC National Coordinator, under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
In his remarks during the handing over, the new NCTC boss called for total support of all staff, to be able to deliver on the mandate of the centre. He said the support required from the staff comes with commitment, dedication and discipline, adding that the NCTC was a multi agency centre with staff drawn from different ministries, departments and agencies.
“So, I expect us to all drop our baggage outside, come together and work for the greater good of Nigeria. Nigeria and the world in general are facing the threats of terrorism, and if we don’t come together to address it now, while we have the chance to, will it be when we go back to our villages in Ogbomosho or somewhere else that we will be calling those in the realms of power to help us do this, do that?
“This is the time for us to come together to solve this problem, so that we retire from the services and the various ministries we worked in peace. So, I expect nothing less than 100 per cent from my team,” he said.
In his remarks, the outgone National Coordinator, retired RearAdm. Musa, said the centre has pioneered key initiatives of providing leadership, coordination and strategic guidance to armed forces, security, law enforcement and intelligence agencies on counter terrorism matters.
Musa said the role of the NCTC became more alive as a value adding entity to other strategic and international partners on counter terrorism efforts in Nigeria due to emerging threats. He said the centre was established following the enactment of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, so as to meet the increasing needs with the necessary requirements for effective coordination and collaboration.
He said the centre had made progress in leading national efforts in countering terrorism and violent extremism by developing coordinated strategies and integrating all counter terrorism actions.
He added that the centre has continued to provide terrorism analysis, intelligence and information sharing with national and international counterterrorism partners, through various counter terrorism activities at the centre.
“So, this achievement actually amplified the vision of the centre, which is to be a centre of excellence for counter terrorism activity in Nigeria and mobilise a stronger response to counter all forms of terrorism and violence extremism, through a coordinated action based on knowledge derived from research and innovation,” he said.
Musa thanked President Tinubu and the NSA for supporting the centre and creating the conducive environment for him to operate as the national coordinator. He also thanked members of staff for their support and urged them to extend the same to his successor. He urged his successor to be committed to the mission and vision of the centre, in line with national security objectives.
