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

Troops rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno

Published

on

Troops rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued three abducted civilians and recovered ammunition during an operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 10:00 a.m. on March 30 by troops of 202 Battalion in collaboration with volunteer forces at BOCOBS.

According to the sources, the troops responded to credible intelligence indicating that suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram had abducted three locals in the area.

The sources said the troops made contact with the insurgents and successfully rescued all three victims during the operation.

Items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

The sources added that the rescued victims are safe, while troops have continued to dominate the general area to prevent further incidents.

They said the operation is part of sustained efforts to protect civilians and dismantle terrorist activities across the North-East theatre.

Troops rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno

Continue Reading

News

Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe

Published

on

Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram on a Forward Operating Base in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 10:05 p.m. on March 30 at Forward Operating Base Bukarti.

According to the sources, the terrorists launched an attack on the troops’ position, prompting a fierce engagement during which the troops successfully repelled the assailants.

During the encounter, one soldier sustained injuries and has since been stabilised and is responding to treatment.

The sources added that the attackers carted away a gun truck mounted with a QJC gun, a Civilian Joint Task Force vehicle, two motorcycles, a PKT machine gun and a Baofeng radio.

They said troops have continued to maintain operational presence in the area, while efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen equipment and further degrade the capabilities of the insurgents.

Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe

Continue Reading

News

CJTF member accidentally shot by colleague in Borno

Published

on

CJTF member accidentally shot by colleague in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has been injured in an accidental shooting incident in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:50 a.m. on March 31 at the location of 162 Amphibious Battalion in Mandara-Girau.

According to the sources, the CJTF member was on duty when he was mistakenly shot in the left leg by a colleague.

The victim was immediately evacuated to the battalion’s medical facility, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Sources said the injured personnel are responding to treatment, while further details surrounding the incident are being awaited.

CJTF member accidentally shot by colleague in Borno

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights