By Sumaila Ogbaje
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation through enhanced training, intelligence analysis and coordinated incident management to address evolving security threats.
The commitment was reaffirmed on Monday at the opening of the combined Gold, Silver and Bronze Incident Commanders’ Courses and Advanced Intelligence Analysis Course at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the courses would strengthen Nigeria’s emergency preparedness, crisis response and coordination.
Laka said the incident command courses were designed to equip participants with strategic, operational and tactical leadership skills required for effective management of emergencies, major incidents and multi-agency security operations nationwide.
According to him, participants will master crisis management techniques, strengthen decision-making and improve collaboration among security agencies, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s national incident management framework and emergency response capabilities.
The National Coordinator said the Advanced Intelligence Analysis Course would provide participants with modern methodologies and analytical techniques for collecting, fusing and disseminating intelligence to combat terrorism and other contemporary security threats.
He said knowledge acquired during the 10-day programme would enhance national security, promote stability, strengthen intelligence operations and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s socio-economic development and resilience.
Laka commended the British High Commission for supporting the initiative through technical assistance, experienced resource persons and sustained collaboration aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national counter-terrorism capability and institutional capacity.
Speaking, the Regional Coordinator, Joint Counter Terrorism Training and Advisory Team, British High Commission, Ian Tyler, represented by Anthony Francis, highlighted the enduring strategic partnership between both countries.
Tyler said the four training programmes, including the newly introduced Operational Incident Command Course, were developed after consultations with Nigerian authorities to better prepare frontline commanders for complex emergencies.
He said insecurity across the Sahel continued to grow in scale, complexity and ambition, making stronger national coordination, effective command structures and trusted international partnerships indispensable for regional stability and security.
According to him, terrorism, organised crime and violent extremism transcend national boundaries, requiring countries to develop shared operational language, coordinated responses and stronger institutional relationships to protect citizens effectively.
Tyler said the UK remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts through practical training, intelligence cooperation and capacity building to improve operational effectiveness and emergency response across security agencies.
He noted that the instructors possessed extensive operational experience spanning intelligence, policing, military operations and crisis management, including responses to major terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
Tyler urged participants to maximise the opportunity by interacting actively, exchanging experiences and applying acquired knowledge to strengthen frontline coordination, intelligence-led decision-making and operational effectiveness in combating terrorism.
He said the skills acquired would support future operations, including Exercise Rapid Response, while improving Nigeria’s ability to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist incidents, thereby saving lives.
The 10-day courses will feature lectures, simulations and practical exercises, with participants expected to receive certificates upon completion as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism architecture. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)