UNOCT, Nigeria Sign MoU on counterterrorism

The United Nations Office of Counterterrorism (UNOCT) and Nigeria have signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on counterterrorism.

The agreement between the UN and the federal government aims to enhance the partnership of both parties in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism, a statement by the UNOCT revealed.

The MoUs were signed by the National Security Adviser, retired AIG Nuhu Ribadu and Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Counterterrorism.

Speaking at the signing of the agreements, Mr Voronkov thanked the government of Nigeria for its ongoing collaboration with the UNOCT and commended it for playing a leading role in combatting terrorism in the region.

He said: “Today’s event marks an important milestone in our partnerships with the Government of Nigeria at this critical time when your country is taking a leading role in regional counter-terrorism efforts.”

In his speech, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Counterterrorism also highlighted the importance of continued multilateral partnership with African governments in tackling terrorism on the continent.

Speaking on behalf of the NSA to the President, Rear Admiral YEM Musa (Rtd.), Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre of Nigeria said: “The two MOUs we are about to sign today will set the stage for enhanced ONSA and UNOCT collaborative and coordinated actions to disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks through increased information sharing, technological collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives on a global scale.

“It is also indicative of ONSA and UNOCT’s commitment to preventing, detecting and responding to acts of terrorism, while also safeguarding the rights and freedoms of individuals.”

Persecondnews reports that the first agreement between the UN and the Federal Government was signed between the UNOCT and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

The MoU aims to improve the partnership between both parties on countering terrorist travel, border and maritime security, delivery of counter-terrorism training in Nigeria and other security and counter-terrorism initiatives.

It would also ensure that Nigeria would be supported in the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS) 2020-2024 Action Plan for eradicating terrorism in the sub-region.

The second agreement was signed between the UNOCT and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONS).

This agreement formalizes the existing partnership between the UNOCT and the Federal Government in preventing and countering terrorist travel and serious crimes in the context of the UNOCT-led Countering Terrorist Travel Programme.

The second MoU also aims to build Nigeria’s capacities to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute terrorist offences by collecting and analyzing both API and PNR data.

Both MoUs solidify the already existing partnership between both entities in enhancing Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities.