By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has renewed its call for a united front against terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel, with the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, declaring that insecurity in the region poses an existential threat to people, economies, and shared futures.
The Minister made the remarks in Abuja on Wednesday at the opening of the Regional Conference on Combating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security, hosted at the National Counterterrorism Centre. Addressing senior officials, diplomats, and security experts, Badaru emphasized that terrorism and insurgency demand not just recognition but urgent and coordinated regional action.
Placing Nigeria’s commitment at the centre of the discussions, he aligned his remarks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies peace as the foundation of prosperity. He outlined three key priorities for collective action: integrating intelligence across the region through real-time fusion and technology to track and disrupt terror networks; institutionalising joint military operations with renewed momentum for the full activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force and harmonised legal frameworks that eliminate extremist safe havens; and tackling the root causes of radicalisation by investing in education, youth empowerment, resilient communities, and accountable governance. “Security must strengthen legitimacy, not weaken it,” he cautioned.
The Minister pointed to Nigeria’s recent gains as proof that a blend of military action, diplomacy, and community solutions can deliver results. He noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have dismantled multiple terrorist and criminal strongholds, leading to thousands of surrenders, while Operation Safe Corridor continues to rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-combatants in order to break cycles of violence. Nigeria, he added, remains a key contributor to regional frameworks such as the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin and the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, which safeguards land and maritime domains.
Badaru also expressed appreciation to international partners, including the United Nations, African Union, and European Union, whose contributions have strengthened regional counterterrorism capacity. However, he stressed that international support must go further by investing in intelligence-sharing platforms, providing technical backing for the ECOWAS Standby Force, and funding socio-economic initiatives that block extremist recruitment. “African resolve must be matched by sustained international partnership,” he insisted.
Closing his address, the Defence Minister urged participants not to allow the conference to end with mere declarations. He called for a practical roadmap to deepen cooperation and deliver long-term security across the region. “This conference must not end with words. It must deliver an actionable roadmap that strengthens partnerships, deepens collaboration, and secures a future of peace, stability, and shared prosperity,” he said.
Nigeria’s message, he concluded, is unambiguous: regional security is indivisible, the threats are pressing, and the time for united and well-supported action is now.
