March 13, (THEWILL) — Nigeria is spearheading efforts to strengthen regional collaboration against the rising threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), calling on West African and Sahel countries to join forces in counter-insurgency operations.
Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), made the call at the closing of a five-day Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Baseline Self-Assessment Workshop, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service and the British High Commission.
Laka praised participants for their professionalism, technical expertise, and dedication, noting that the networks formed during the workshop would enhance cooperation among the Armed Forces, security agencies, and international partners.
He warned that insurgents continue to adapt and refine their use of IEDs, stressing the need for constant innovation and coordinated regional action.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to work with the UN and the British High Commission, Laka announced plans to host a regional seminar that will bring together security personnel from across West Africa and the Sahel to share experiences and best practices in countering IED threats.
He emphasised that sustained collaboration, innovation, and effective intelligence sharing are critical to improving regional security.
Workshop facilitator, Paul Amoroso highlighted that timely intelligence sharing remains a major challenge. Using a “jigsaw puzzle” analogy, he noted that while Nigeria has a strong intelligence picture, its value depends on prompt dissemination to decision-makers.
Amoroso commended participants for achieving in five days what would normally take two weeks, laying a solid foundation for a strategic national roadmap against IEDs.
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