General Laka: NACTEST Stresses Prevention, Embeds Resilience, Inclusivity, Community Engagement

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka, has stated that the draft National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) 2025 which emphasises prevention alongside response, strengthens inter-agency coordination, and embeds resilience, inclusivity and community engagement at the core of Nigeria’s security architecture.

General Laka made this remark while welcoming participants to the final validation exercise of the draft National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday.

The National Coordinator stressed that the several months of rigorous review reflect the seriousness with which critical stakeholders in the nation’s defence and security architecture approach the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

General Laka encouraged international partners to share insights that will ensure the document aligns with global best practices, including critical but often under-stressed elements such as counter-narratives and strategic communications.

This validation exercise, he said, is not simply about reviewing a document; it is about endorsing a shared vision that will guide Africa’s most populous nation’s counterterrorism efforts until the next review cycle.

Noting that this is the stage where the strategy must be confirmed as reflecting national priorities while meeting the highest international standards, General Laka stated that the review of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy represents a reaffirmation of the Centre’s whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to counterterrorism.

He said: “This is why the process was deliberately inclusive, passing through multiple stages of review and consultation with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, so that we can all take ownership of the final product and commit fully to its implementation.

“Accordingly, I implore all participants to engage actively, offer constructive observations, highlight any gaps, and suggest refinements that will enrich the document before it proceeds for editing and publication.”

He stressed the purpose of the validation workshop is to subject the reviewed draft NACTEST to collective scrutiny, adding, “We are here to confirm that every section of the strategy is clear, realistic, and implementable; that it reflects the priorities we have agreed upon; and that it addresses the evolving threats we face.”

Giving a historical background to the draft policy document, the National Coordinator said: “This is, without doubt, a significant moment in our collective work, one that comes after several months of rigorous review. It also reflects the seriousness with which we approach the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

“You may recall that the review process commenced on 25 February 2025 with the first stakeholder meeting, which laid the foundation for the work ahead. This was followed by the intensive Review Committee engagement from 12–16 May 2025, which brought together a wealth of professional expertise from across multiple sectors.

“We then convened a two-day workshop from 1–2 July 2025, during which the draft document was critically examined and refined through robust discussions. This was further enhanced by the consultant’s in-depth review from 28 July–1 August 2025, which offered valuable recommendations that significantly enriched the document. And here we are again today, for the validation workshop.”

In his overview of the review processes, the Director of Policy and Strategy at NCTC, Commodore Ahmed Abubakar Madawaki, stated that through this collaborative process, the Centre is confident that the revised strategy will be comprehensive, effective, and responsive to Nigeria’s security needs.

The Centre, he said, aims to achieve a good understanding of the strategy among civil society organisations, the private sector, academia, and traditional and religious leaders.

This, he noted, is in addition to its recognition of the importance of grassroots involvement, stressing the Centre ensured states and local governments were actively engaged in the review processes, especially during the final phases.

He stressed that the Centre acknowledges that terrorism is a global phenomenon that requires international cooperation and support.