Insecurity: FG to strengthen counterterrorism framework with revised national strategy

.As DHQ confirms killing of terrorists’ kingpin, Yellow Danbokkolo

.Troops eliminate 10 terrorists near Cameroon border in major offensive

CHIDIMMA UCHEGBU, Abuja

Nigeria is enhancing its counterterrorism efforts by revising its National Strategy.

The Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, made this known during a high-level workshop to review and validate the revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST).

The NACTEST was first developed in 2015 and revised in 2016 and has guided the national efforts in the fight against terrorism for nearly a decade.

Laka said that revised NACTEST aims to strengthen the country’s approach to preventing and combating terrorism, particularly addressing the root causes of violent extremism and improving inter-agency coordination.

According to him, it has become increasingly clear that a comprehensive update of this strategy is long overdue, noting the need for a framework that incorporates both new threats and hard-won operational lessons.

“However, given the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the security landscape, it has become increasingly clear that a comprehensive review and update of this strategy are long overdue.

“This is necessary to ensure it reflects emerging threats, the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations, and the invaluable lessons learned from our counterterrorism operations over the years.

“Sequel to the expert review and the contributions made during the several stakeholders’ meetings, we now have a consolidated draft of the revised NACTEST,” he said.

Laka said the review work had valuable inputs from a broad range of stakeholders across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, civil society organizations, and our international partners.

According to him, these wide array of perspectives have been instrumental in producing a draft strategy that is robust, inclusive, fully aligned with international best practices and will stand the test of time.

He said the review came at a particularly important time, the centre is transitioning into a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel, following the declaration by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the transition underscored Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to regional security, adding that there was need to produce a strategy that meets Nigeria’s needs and also sets a benchmark for the Region.

“This workshop is also carefully designed to ensure active participation and collective ownership of the revised strategy.

“Let us remain guided by the two foundational pillars of our counterterrorism approach: the Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society strategies.

“These pillars remind us that terrorism is not only a security challenge but also a social and ideological one, requiring the combined efforts of government institutions and society at large,” he added.

In his remarks, the Director Policy and Strategy, NCTC, Commodore Ahmad Madawaki, said that significant progress had been made in developing the counterterrorism strategy through collaborative approach.

Madawaki said the approach was built on two fundamental pillars, which is Whole-of-Government and Whole of Society.

“The Whole-of-Government approach ensures that our counter-terrorism efforts are coordinated, comprehensive and effective while the Whole of Society approach engages communities, civil society organisations and the private sector in building trust, promoting social cohesion and countering extremist ideologies.

“As we review and finalise the draft strategy, we must ensure that it meets legal and international requirements, including human rights, gender and humanitarian law.

“We will also incorporate all national, regional and international legislations that relate to terrorism.

“Our strategy must address the current security challenges and ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies understand their roles and responsibilities as it relates to the implementation of the strategy,” he said.

In another development, troops of Operation Fasan Yamma have eliminated a notorious terrorist, known as Yellow Danbokkolo, in a weeklong encounter in the North West.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, confirmed the killing in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Kangye said the operation was conducted in conjunction with Hybrid Forces supported by air components and other security agencies, following a credible intelligence on the movement of fleeing bandits and terrorists.

“During the encounter, a notorious terrorist kingpin, known as Yellow Danbokkolo, who for years has devastated residents of Eastern Sokoto, suffered serious gunshot wounds.

“He subsequently died on Monday from the injuries sustained during the fierce battle with our troops.

“It is believed that Yellow Danbokkolo was much more dreaded than Bello Turji, as he masterminded the December 2021 arson on travellers in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara, during which all the passengers were burnt to death,” he said.

Kangye said the neutralised kingpin lived on endless bouts of pentazocine so as to sustain his cruelty and heinous activities.

He said the troops, with the renewed resolve, were on the hunt for Bello Turji, who had been in hiding.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to restoring normalcy in all parts of the country and, therefore, calls for the cooperation of all Nigerians in this drive,” he added.

Meanwhile, Troops of Operation FASAN YAMA have eliminated a notorious terrorist kingpin, Yellow Danbokkolo, following a fierce gun battle in eastern Sokoto.

The operation, which was conducted last week in collaboration with Hybrid Forces, air components, and other security agencies, marked a major breakthrough in the ongoing military campaign against terrorism in the North West.

According to a statement released by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, the troops launched an intelligence-led offensive targeting terrorists and fleeing bandits in the region. During the operation, Yellow Danbokkolo sustained severe gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries.

Danbokkolo, long feared by residents of eastern Sokoto and neighbouring communities, was said to be more dreaded than the infamous Bello Turji.

 He is believed to have orchestrated the December 2021 attack in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where passengers were burnt alive in a gruesome act of terrorism.

The military described Danbokkolo as a sadistic criminal who fuelled his reign of terror through the abuse of narcotics, particularly pentazocine.

 His elimination, the statement added, is a major morale booster for troops and a significant step towards restoring peace in the region.

Additionally, troops now intensified efforts to track down Bello Turji, who is reportedly in hiding.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating all threats to national security and called on citizens to support ongoing security operations across the country.

‎Also, Troops of Operation HADIN KAI and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), backed by Hybrid Forces and other security agencies, have neutralised 10 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in a fierce gun battle along the Rann–Gamboru Ngala axis near the Nigeria–Cameroon border.

‎The joint operation, which forms part of sustained clearance efforts in the Southern Lake Chad Basin, was executed with precision based on credible intelligence that revealed terrorist movements in the area.

‎“Our troops stormed the hideout and engaged the terrorists in a decisive firefight.

The superior firepower of our forces overwhelmed them, resulting in the elimination of 10 insurgents,” a military source confirmed.

‎The encounter, which took place along a notorious border corridor used by terrorists, also led to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, including anti-aircraft rounds.

‎Military authorities say the operation is part of a broader strategy to dominate the southern flank of the Lake Chad Basin and restrict cross-border terrorist activities.

‎“We are determined to flush out every last remnant of Boko Haram and ISWAP from this region,” said a senior commander involved in the operation. “The recovered weapons are undergoing technical analysis, and pursuit operations are underway to track down fleeing terrorists and dismantle additional hideouts.”

‎The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in synergy with MNJTF partners and local security outfits, have ramped up operational tempo across Northern Borno, reaffirming their commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in the region.