Nigeria, UK deepen counter-terrorism partnership with joint training initiative

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) — Nigeria and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation through enhanced training, intelligence analysis and coordinated incident management to tackle evolving security threats.

The renewed partnership was underscored on Monday at the opening of the Combined Gold, Silver and Bronze Incident Commanders’ Courses and the Advanced Intelligence Analysis Course at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the training would enhance Nigeria’s emergency preparedness, crisis response and inter-agency coordination.

Laka said the incident command courses were designed to equip participants with strategic, operational and tactical leadership skills required for managing emergencies, major incidents and multi-agency security operations.

According to him, the programme will strengthen decision-making, improve collaboration among security agencies and reinforce Nigeria’s national incident management framework.

He added that the Advanced Intelligence Analysis Course would expose participants to modern intelligence-gathering methodologies and analytical techniques for collecting, integrating and disseminating intelligence to combat terrorism and other emerging security threats.

“The knowledge acquired during the programme will strengthen national security, enhance intelligence operations, promote stability and contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development,” Laka said.

He commended the British High Commission for its continued technical support, provision of experienced resource persons and sustained collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capabilities.

Representing the British High Commission’s Regional Coordinator of the Joint Counter Terrorism Training and Advisory Team, Ian Tyler, Anthony Francis said the initiative reflects the enduring security partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

He explained that the four training programmes, including the newly introduced Operational Incident Command Course, were developed following consultations with Nigerian authorities to better prepare frontline commanders for complex emergencies.

Francis noted that insecurity across the Sahel continues to increase in scale and complexity, making effective command structures, stronger national coordination and trusted international partnerships essential for regional security.

“Terrorism, organised crime and violent extremism do not respect national borders. They require coordinated responses, shared operational understanding and stronger institutional cooperation,” he said.

He reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts through practical training, intelligence cooperation and institutional capacity building.

According to him, the instructors bring extensive operational experience in intelligence, policing, military operations and crisis management, including responses to major terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom and other countries.

Francis urged participants to take full advantage of the programme by sharing experiences and applying the knowledge gained to strengthen intelligence-led operations and frontline coordination.

He said the skills acquired would also support future national security exercises, including Exercise Rapid Response, while improving Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist incidents.

The 10-day training programme will feature lectures, simulation exercises and practical sessions, with participants expected to receive certificates upon successful completion.