Connect with us

News

Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

Published

on

Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism (UNOCT), Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, has concluded a week-long high-level visit to Nigeria.

During his visit which ended on Tuesday, Voronkov held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector- General of Police and President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)Commission, Omar Alieu Touray.

According to a statement by UNOCT, the visit was marked by fruitful discussions centred on enhancing cooperation on countering terrorism and violent extremism in Africa and advancing preparations for an upcoming African Counter-Terrorism Summit (“Abuja Summit”) planned in Abuja in 2024.

The statement revealed that the Abuja Summit will be organized under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of Nigeria. It will provide a forum for Member States, International and Regional organisations and Civil Society to review the terrorism landscape in Africa and agree on concrete priorities and measures to address this scourge in a comprehensive manner. A pre-Summit ministerial meeting will take place on 21 September on the margins of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

During the high-level visit, Voronkov signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Government, met with Nigerian Youth leaders and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to honour the memory of 23 United Nations staff and civilians who died in the 2011 terrorist attack on the UN House in Abuja.

Voronkov also travelled to Maiduguri, Borno State, to see first-hand the impact of terrorism on the local population and the international community’s support in its rehabilitation and reintegration processes, as well as to raise international awareness about the persistent insecurity in the Lake Chad region.

In Maiduguri, he visited the Bulumkutu transit center, a UN-supported reintegration centre for women and children formerly associated with armed groups and the Joint Investigation Centre, a multi-agency hub for screening and investigating individuals detained during counter-terrorism operations in the North East and onward referral for prosecution or rehabilitation and reintegration.

Voronkov, while in Maiduguri, emphasized that UNOCT, through its Global Programme on Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (PRR), will continue to support Borno State and Nigeria in these efforts.

The Under-Secretary-General and his UNOCT delegation return to New York from Abuja on Tuesday.

Head of UN Counter-Terrorism Office Concludes Visit to Nigeria

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Security forces foil rustling, recover 22 animals in Katsina

Published

on

Security forces foil rustling, recover 22 animals in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Katsina State have foiled a livestock rustling attempt and recovered 22 stolen animals in Jibia Local Government Area.

Police sources said the incident occurred in the early hours of April 12 following a distress call received at about 12:45 a.m. that suspected armed bandits had rustled livestock from neighbouring Niger Republic.

According to the sources, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia swiftly mobilised a joint team comprising police, military and community watch personnel to the area.

They added that the operatives strategically blocked the escape routes of the suspects and engaged them in a gun duel.

“The superior firepower of the security team forced the bandits to abandon the rustled animals and flee into the bush,” the sources said.

The sources disclosed that all 22 sheep and goats were recovered intact during the operation.

They noted that the area has been cordoned off, while aggressive clearance operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Further developments will be communicated as investigations continue, the sources added.

Security forces foil rustling, recover 22 animals in Katsina

Continue Reading

News

Troops neutralise several terrorists in ambush operation in Borno

Published

on

Troops neutralise several terrorists in ambush operation in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised several Boko Haram terrorists during an ambush operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:33 a.m. on April 13 when an ambush team of 202 Battalion deployed at Bravo Kilo sighted a terrorist crossing the parapet at a defensive company location.

According to the sources, the troops engaged and neutralised five of the suspect on sight.

The sources added that the operation is part of ongoing clearance and ambush missions aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement in the North-East theatre.

Troops neutralise several terrorists in ambush operation in Borno

Continue Reading

News

Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram member in Yobe

Published

on

Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram member in Yobe

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 233 Battalion have arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS member within the Damaturu Military Cantonment in Yobe State.

Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 11:00 p.m. on April 12 between Charlie 2 and Charlie 3 areas of the cantonment in Damaturu Local Government Area.

According to the sources, troops recovered a bag containing clothes and a SIM card from the suspect.

They added that during preliminary investigation, the suspect claimed he was heading to Potiskum and identified himself as an almajiri from the 1000 Area of Maiduguri.

The sources, however, noted that his statements were incoherent, while further physical examination reportedly revealed a rifle sling mark on his shoulder, raising further suspicion.

They said the suspect is currently in custody for further investigation and necessary action.

Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram member in Yobe

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights