News

Nigeria Extends Hand to Sahel: Counterterrorism Expertise Shared Amid Regional Security Concerns

Published

9 months ago

March 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria Extends Hand to Sahel: Counterterrorism Expertise Shared Amid Regional Security Concerns

…Nigerian military ready to work with Sahelian states – CDS…

By: Zagazola Makama

Amidst escalating security challenges in West Africa, Nigeria is proactively sharing its counterterrorism expertise with its Sahelian neighbors, signaling a strong commitment to regional stability. A high-level delegation from the African Economic and Security (AES) bloc, representing Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is currently in Nigeria to explore the country’s innovative non-kinetic approaches to counterterrorism.

The focal points of their visit are Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) and the Borno Model, initiatives renowned for their success in the deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former combatants. This collaborative effort draws attention to Nigeria’s leadership role in shaping effective counterterrorism strategies that blend military actions with community-driven solutions.

The delegation led by the Coordinator, Fusion Center for Dialogue and Peace Processes, Aliyu Gebi, is in the country to under study Nigeria on its non-kinetic approach to tackling the menace of terrorism and the success of operation Safe Corridor.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has reassured the AES delegation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s unwavering support, despite the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Gen. Musa emphasized that terrorism knows no borders, making regional cooperation essential. The enemies we are dealing with have no respect for life, no respect for humanity, no respect for boundaries. It is critical that we work together to fight and defeat them.

“This meeting came at a very good time, especially now that so many things are happening in Africa. It shows the unity of purpose. Your presence here from the Sahelian countries shows that we are still united, in spite the challenges. And for all Africans, we must unite. The enemies we are dealing with are enemies that don’t mean well for us, especially in the Sahelian region. They have no respect for life, no respect for humanity, no respect for boundaries.

“It is critical that we must work together to fight and defeat them, and I am happy that we have our brothers from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and other countries here to come and see what we are doing with our disarmament programme with Operation Safe Corridor,” he said, while emphasizing that the kinetic and the non-kinetic operations must go hand in hand, adding that the kinetic accounts for only 30 per cent of the solution.

He said that the non-kinetic was basic, adding that there must be good governance within the countries, fairness, justice, and equity to be able to overcome the challenges.
“With that, our citizens will feel safe, wanted, and have a sense of belonging. It is only then that we can put heads together and work to ensure that we defeat all arms of criminality within our region. Last year, I had the privilege of visiting the Niger Republic, and I met with the Chief of Defence there. Now we want to extend same to Burkina Faso and Mali to show unity, and that we need each other for us to succeed.
“Our brothers from Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, we are one family. Don’t allow anyone to tell you anything otherwise,” he added.

The CDS advised the Sahelian countries to block terrorists access to mining sites and trace their foreign sponsors to block their sources of funding.

Inside Nigeria’s Counterterrorism Blueprint: OPSC and the Borno Model

Nigeria’s pioneering counterterrorism strategies have garnered significant interest from its Sahelian counterparts seeking to replicate successful models in their own countries: Spearheaded by the Defence Headquarters, OPSC offers a comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration program for former terrorists, providing psychological support, vocational training, and community reintegration to transform ex-combatants into productive members of society.

The Borno Model:

Championed by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, this model integrates local governance and community engagement into counterterrorism efforts, focusing on grassroots interventions to ensure community acceptance for rehabilitated individuals and addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that fuel extremism. These programs have not only reduced violent extremism but have also created a pathway toward lasting peace in affected regions. The AES delegation’s visit marks a pivotal step toward strengthening regional security cooperation. Through direct engagement with Nigerian security and government officials, the delegation aims to gain insights into effectively integrating kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in the fight against terrorism.

Gen. Aime Sampore, Head of the Alliance of Sahel States delegation, acknowledged Nigeria’s achievements in counterterrorism and emphasized that they hold valuable lessons for the entire region.

“A serene and stable Sahel will transmit directly to a serene, stable, and prosperous Nigeria. Likewise, a stable Nigeria will impact the Sahel and Africa as a whole,” Gen. Sampore noted.

Discussions also covered strategies to block terrorists’ access to mining sites, a critical source of funding, and to identify and cut off foreign sponsors of terrorism. A key goal of the visit is to align counterterrorism strategies across the Sahel and West Africa. Nigeria’s experience in countering violent extremism (CVE) offers a valuable framework for nations grappling with similar security challenges.

High-level discussions are expected to cover:

Intelligence sharing to dismantle terrorist networks, joint training programs for security forces in counterterrorism operations, enganced border security measures to curb cross-border insurgent movements, community engagement strategies to prevent radicalization and recruitment. A senior Nigerian security official emphasized that this collaboration aims to ensure that “Safer, Stronger Together” becomes a tangible reality in the fight against terrorism.

AES delegation’s visit to Nigeria could catalyze broader regional initiatives, including joint research, security training programs, and coordinated policy responses to terrorism.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert, report that as discussions progress, the visit is anticipated to reinforce diplomatic and security ties between Nigeria and the Sahelian states, underscoring the importance of collective action in combating terrorism and violent extremism throughout the region.

It will also shed light on the importance of Nigeria’s comprehensive approach in shaping future counterterrorism efforts across Africa: Nigeria has developed a comprehensive strategy, effectively balancing military action with rehabilitation and community engagement. AES member states can adapt these lessons to enhance their own security frameworks,” Makama stated. By integrating both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, the country is setting a precedent for achieving sustainable peace and stability. Through collaborative initiatives in intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism operations, and rehabilitation programs, the future of regional security appears promising, provided that nations continue to collaborate towards a shared objective. For Nigeria and its Sahelian partners, the message is clear: “Safer, Stronger Together.”

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad

Nigeria Extends Hand to Sahel: Counterterrorism Expertise Shared Amid Regional Security Concerns

News

45 kidnapped victims regain freedom under peace accord in Katsina

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

45 kidnapped victims regain freedom under peace accord in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Forty-five kidnapped persons have been released from captivity in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State following engagements under the Operation Safe Corridor peace accord.

The victims, comprising men and women abducted from Guga in Doguwar Dorawa Fulani settlement camp and Gidan Danmayaki villages, were freed on Monday through a negotiation channel linked to a bandit leader identified as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.

Zagazola Makama report that the victims regained freedom at about 1400hrs and were immediately received by the member representing Bakori Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly.

The lawmaker transferred the victims to the Comprehensive Health Centre, Bakori, where medical personnel conducted evaluations to ascertain their physical condition after prolonged captivity.

Authorities said the freed hostages have since been reunited with their families.

Security personnel and community leaders are maintaining close monitoring as part of efforts to consolidate the peace process and prevent further attacks.

45 kidnapped victims regain freedom under peace accord in Katsina

News

Propcom+, Welcome2Africa International target £5 million investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Propcom+, Welcome2Africa International target £5 million investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector

The UK Government, through its climate-smart agriculture programme, Propcom+ in collaboration with Welcome2Africa International, is spearheading a Strategic Agribusiness Deal Room designed to mobilise private capital into Nigeria’s agricultural value chains while supporting inclusive, market-led economic transformation.

This initiative underscores the UK’s commitment to strengthening agribusiness value chains, fostering sustainable partnerships, and driving inclusive economic growth across Nigeria.

Positioned as a high-impact investment marketplace, the Deal Room, which will be held from November 18 to 19, 2025, in Lagos, is expected to unlock over £5 million in potential investment and trade commitments, featuring more than 20 pre-vetted, investment-ready agribusinesses.

These enterprises operate across priority sectors, including grains, cassava and starch derivatives, livestock, bioethanol, food processing, mechanisation, agri-tech, and renewable energy, all demonstrating clear growth pathways, commercial traction, and scalability.

“The Deal Room represents a strategic opportunity to accelerate private investment into Nigeria’s agrifood sector and deepen the pipeline of climate-smart, inclusive enterprises,” Olumide Ojo, Propcom+’s Strategy Director, noted.

“By connecting high-potential SMEs with investors, we aim to drive capital mobilisation that strengthens market systems, improves resilience, and expands economic opportunities for farmers, women, and rural communities.”

Echoing the investment rationale, Welcome2Africa International CEO, Bamidele Seun Owoola, reinforced the platform’s role in facilitating cross-border capital flows.

“At Welcome2Africa International, our focus is to catalyse sustainable investment into Africa’s agrifood sector. Co-hosting the Deal Room with Propcom+ presents a unique opportunity to position Nigeria’s most promising agribusinesses before global investors. This platform is fundamentally about unlocking capital and forging long-term investment partnerships that deliver shared prosperity.”

The Deal Room forms part of Propcom+’s broader mandate to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural markets, empower SMEs, and drive low-carbon, climate-smart growth. Following the event, Propcom+ will continue to support participating enterprises through technical assistance, investor engagement, due diligence, and transaction facilitation, advancing businesses toward investment closure.

Propcom+, Welcome2Africa International target £5 million investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector

Military

COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls

Published

7 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday stormed Kebbi State in a decisive show of force, directing troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation for students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.

The COAS, who arrived the state with a strong delegation of Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, held an operational meeting with frontline commanders before addressing troops deployed in the search effort.

In a firm and emotionally charged message, Shaibu ordered the soldiers to intensify both day and night operations until all the abducted schoolgirls were safely rescued.

“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” he told the troops gathered at the forward operating location.

“For the commanders here, you must leverage intelligence to conduct intelligence-based missions. It has become a pattern that bandits target soft targets. If they know you are in a location, they will not come there or face you in a fight and you can defeat them, can’t you?”

Shaibu reminded officers and soldiers that a ruthless determination to succeed was essential.

“You must have all the commitment to make sure you succeed. Once you receive intelligence of something of this nature, you must act professionally and decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly,” he cautioned.

The Army Chief also held a separate engagement with local vigilantes and hunters supporting the operation. He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration, describing them as indispensable partners due to their deep knowledge of the terrain.

“If we have people like you, it is you who will work with us and provide local intelligence. You know these forests and you are the ones to tell us where the criminals are,” he said.

“Your hunters should storm the nooks and crannies of these forests. Soldiers will also join you. We are counting on you to work with us to bring lasting peace. What these evil people are trying to do is to scare children from going to school. Let every man know we will not allow that.”

He commended the vigilantes for their courage and contributions, assuring them of the military’s full support.

Earlier, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu paid a sympathy visit to the Traditional Ruler of Danko, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Allaje, and the Principal of the attacked school, Hajiya Rabi Musa Magaji.

During the visit, he assured the monarch and the school authorities of the military’s unwavering resolve to rescue the girls unharmed.

“We are fully committed. We will not relent. The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely,” the COAS said.

In her remarks, Hajiya Rabi expressed gratitude for the Army Chief’s swift visit, saying it demonstrated the urgency with which the military and federal authorities were treating the incident.

“Your visit has given us hope. We believe that with this level of commitment, our girls will soon return,” she said.

The abduction at GGCSS Maga has triggered widespread concern across the country, prompting an intensified military response involving ground and air components under Operation FANSAN YANMA.

Security sources who spoke to Zagazola Makama said troops, supported by surveillance assets, have expanded search corridors across forested areas spanning Danko/Wasagu and adjoining boundaries.

The COAS and his entourage later proceeded to inspect additional deployment points before returning to the operational command centre for a review briefing.

COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls