By Ruth Dabo
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing support for victims of terrorism through a coordinated and victim-centred approach.
The assurance was given at a workshop held in Abuja in collaboration with the Government of Spain and supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
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The National Coordinator, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, who was represented by the Director of Intelligence, Brigadier General Peter Paul, described the workshop as timely and necessary amid Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to tackle evolving security threats.
He stressed that while counterterrorism operations remain critical, equal attention must be given to ensuring justice, dignity, protection and comprehensive support for victims.He noted that terrorism leaves deep physical, emotional, psychological and socio-economic scars on individuals and communities.
According to him, Nigeria’s counterterrorism mandate extends beyond dismantling terrorist networks to building national resilience, preventing violent extremism and providing structured assistance to victims in line with global best practices and the country’s national counterterrorism strategy.
In his remarks, Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Félix Costales, said Spain and Nigeria share a holistic approach to combating terrorism. He emphasized that victims must remain central to global counterterrorism efforts, highlighting their important role in awareness creation, education and preventing violent extremism. He also underscored the need for accountability, noting that justice for perpetrators remains a key demand of victims.
Also speaking, the UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Touré, said the workshop forms part of broader initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to the needs and rights of victims of terrorism.
He explained that UNODC’s support is funded through the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and implemented in partnership with relevant agencies to promote reconciliation and community-level peacebuilding in Northeast Nigeria.
Touré acknowledged the importance of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, particularly the establishment of the Victims Trust Fund, describing it as a significant milestone in institutionalising assistance for victims. He reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in advancing laws, policies and services that place victims at the centre of counterterrorism frameworks.
The two-day workshop brought together government officials, security institutions, civil society organisations and development partners aims to exchange experiences, identify gaps and propose practical measures to improve assistance, rehabilitation and reintegration mechanisms for victims of terrorism across the country.
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