Abuja: Nigeria and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation through enhanced training, intelligence analysis, and coordinated incident management to address evolving security threats. The commitment was reaffirmed at the opening of the combined Gold, Silver, and Bronze Incident Commanders’ Courses and Advanced Intelligence Analysis Course at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, stated that the courses would strengthen Nigeria’s emergency preparedness, crisis response, and coordination. Laka mentioned that the incident command courses are designed to equip participants with strategic, operational, and tactical leadership skills required for effective management of emergencies, major incidents, and multi-agency security operations nationwide.
Participants will master crisis management techniques, strengthen decision-making, and improve collaboration among security agencies, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s national incident management framework and emergency response capabilities. The Advanced Intelligence Analysis Course will provide participants with modern methodologies and analytical techniques for collecting, fusing, and disseminating intelligence to combat terrorism and other contemporary security threats. Knowledge acquired during the 10-day program is expected to enhance national security, promote stability, strengthen intelligence operations, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s socio-economic development and resilience.
Laka commended the British High Commission for supporting the initiative through technical assistance, experienced resource persons, and sustained collaboration aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national counter-terrorism capability and institutional capacity. Speaking on behalf of the British High Commission, Anthony Francis, representing the Regional Coordinator, Joint Counter Terrorism Training and Advisory Team, Ian Tyler, highlighted the enduring strategic partnership between both countries.
Tyler mentioned that the four training programs, including the newly introduced Operational Incident Command Course, were developed after consultations with Nigerian authorities to better prepare frontline commanders for complex emergencies. He noted that insecurity across the Sahel continued to grow in scale, complexity, and ambition, making stronger national coordination, effective command structures, and trusted international partnerships indispensable for regional stability and security.
Terrorism, organized crime, and violent extremism transcend national boundaries, requiring countries to develop shared operational language, coordinated responses, and stronger institutional relationships to protect citizens effectively. The UK remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts through practical training, intelligence cooperation, and capacity building to improve operational effectiveness and emergency response across security agencies.
The instructors possess extensive operational experience spanning intelligence, policing, military operations, and crisis management, including responses to major terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Tyler urged participants to maximize the opportunity by interacting actively, exchanging experiences, and applying acquired knowledge to strengthen frontline coordination, intelligence-led decision-making, and operational effectiveness in combating terrorism.
He emphasized that the skills acquired would support future operations, including Exercise Rapid Response, while improving Nigeria’s ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist incidents, thereby saving lives. The 10-day courses will feature lectures, simulations, and practical exercises, with participants expected to receive certificates upon completion as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism architecture.