During a meeting in Abuja on Friday, the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff called for Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to return to the regional bloc, emphasizing that their return is crucial to combating insecurity and insurgency in the region.
General Christopher Musa, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff and the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, led the Defence Chiefs on a visit to the National Coordinator of the Counter-terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, in Abuja. General Musa highlighted ongoing efforts to reintegrate the three countries, stressing the importance of collective action to address security challenges in West Africa.
“For us, without security, there can be no progress. The threats we face, particularly insurgency, are significant, and we believe it is essential to work together to achieve success. No country can tackle this alone,” General Musa stated.
He acknowledged that Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso had stepped aside but emphasized the need for their return to strengthen regional security. “If they fall, it will also affect us. It is crucial for West Africans to continue working together,” he added.
General Musa also praised the National Coordinator for his efforts since taking office in April, noting significant progress in addressing security issues.
“Insurgency is spreading rapidly, and we must do everything possible to curb it before it escalates further. We are committed to working together to ensure peace in our region,” General Musa said. He emphasized the importance of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to counter-terrorism.
Maj. Gen. Laka, the National Coordinator of the Counter-terrorism Centre, underscored the need for cooperation among West African countries to defeat terrorism. He advocated for experience sharing and partnerships within the region and the Sahel.
“We must learn from one another. We plan to partner with Abidjan and other centers to address the threat of terrorism. Nigeria has extensive experience, and by sharing our experiences, we can effectively tackle this threat,” Maj. Gen. Laka stated.
He also highlighted the state-of-the-art facilities at the Counter-terrorism Centre, including forensic, toxicology, fingerprint, DNA, and handwriting labs, which are essential in addressing terrorism threats.
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