The National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), has reported 775 convictions across eight phases of terrorism-related trials in Nigeria, showcasing the country’s commitment to combating terrorism through legal and rehabilitative measures.
National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, announced this milestone during his address at the Regional Conference on Combating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS Region and the Sahel, held in Abuja on Wednesday,September 3,2025.
The conference, co-organised with the ECOWAS Commission, convened security leaders, policymakers, regional institutions, and international partners to strategise against terrorism and violent extremism.
“So far, we have conducted eight phases of terrorism trials with 775 convictions,” Laka stated, emphasising Nigeria’s dual approach.
“This sends a clear message that terrorism will not go unpunished, while our approach also recognises the need for non-kinetic measures such as dialogue, reconciliation, empowerment, and community resilience.”
Laka highlighted Nigeria’s “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” counterterrorism strategy, which integrates state institutions, civil society, religious and traditional leaders, the private sector, and youth.
“While military actions are critical, sustainable security requires winning hearts and minds, restoring trust in governance, and addressing root causes like poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion,” he said.
The conference builds on the April 2024 African Counter Terrorism Summit, which designated the NCTC as a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counter Terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
Laka noted that the event aims to strengthen regional cooperation, with goals including a situational analysis of emerging terrorist groups, operationalising the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Force, and developing strategies for intelligence sharing and border security.
“Mainstreaming youth, civil society, and the media into the regional security architecture is also a priority,” he added.
The two-day conference, attended by representatives from ECOWAS, the United Nations, and other global partners, is set to produce actionable recommendations to enhance collective security efforts across the region.NAN.
