The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has charged strategic commanders across the security forces to think out of the box and act collaboratively in the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
Musa gave the charge at the opening of the Strategic Commanders Course organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and UK High Commission on Monday in Abuja.
He said that strategic-level leaders from the armed forces and security agencies as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were at the forefront of the nation’s efforts in responding to crisis situations.
According to him, their roles will require them to make tough decisions, think critically and act decisively.
He added that the course would broaden their perspectives and sharpen their competencies with regards to responding effectively to crisis situations.
“Remember that addressing our security challenges requires a whole-of-society approach and is not limited to the security agencies alone.
“You must therefore, think out of the box and act collaboratively. Equally, you will need to balance competing priorities, manage complexities and make tough decisions under intense pressure.
“I, however, believe in your ability to rise to the task when duty calls, as you navigate the demands of the course.
“Please note that the knowledge gained would contribute significantly to lasting peace in the Nation, the Africa sub-region and the world at large,’’ he said.
The National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, emphasised the need to include non-state actors in counter-terrorism efforts since potential targets and tactics used by terrorists were evolving and highly unpredictable.
Laka said that there was need for stakeholder engagement and for them to be trained and proactive in the handling of the ever evolving tactics of the terrorist groups.
He said that managing crises provoked by terrorists involves a blend of anticipation, preparation, organisation and application.
According to him, realistic training of personnel involved in crisis management must incorporate the fact that terrorist acts do not occur at the most convenient times.
He said that the centre had continued to leverage on the cordial bilateral and multilateral relations that exists between Nigeria and the UK Government for sustainable partnerships that would improve security.
“The elements of this kind of crisis management are flexibility and the ability to adapt to fast changing situations.
“Law enforcement agencies need to learn as much as possible about contemporary terrorism. Our experience in counter-terrorism over the years has shown that kinetic approaches cannot end terrorism alone.
“Therefore, we place significant emphasis on non-kinetic approaches to counter-terrorism, focusing on addressing the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism.
“Through several initiatives, the Centre promotes a ‘whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach’ that integrates efforts across all sectors to reduce the appeal of extremism,’’ he said.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, represented by the Defence Adviser, Brig. Tom Harper, said that the high commission had in 2024 signed a defence partnership with Nigeria.
Montgomery said that the training package was designed to improve multi-agency command and control at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
He noted that the participants would be taught the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JECIP) principles currently being use in the UK, and constantly been refined following terrorist incidents they had experienced.
According to him, using the JECIP principles, the course will refresh their understanding as senior commanders of each other’s respective agencies and how to best use them to prepare and react collectively to serious incidents.
“This inaugural course will set the foundations for two further planned courses that will be delivered to your action officers to prepare commanders at all levels to react effectively and efficiently in the event of a terrorist or crisis incident,’’ he said. (NAN)
