The National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, on Monday, unveiled Nigeria’s Counter Terrorism Strategic Plan 2025–2030 in Abuja.

The plan, unveiled by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, comes at a time the country is grappling with resurgence of kidnappings, bandit attacks, killings in rural communities and lingering threats from Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Speaking at the launch, Akpabio said the event was not just another policy presentation but a renewed national commitment to protect lives.

“It is a moment when Nigeria again reaffirms that our people deserve to live without fear, that our children deserve a future of peace, and that our nation must be secured to prosper,” he said.

The Senate President said insecurity had weakened many sectors, adding that the new plan offered a fresh approach.

“As President of the Senate, I have seen how insecurity weakens the foundations of development. Investors withdraw, schools close, farmers abandon their fields, and hope retreats from the hearts of our young people,” he said.

“For ours, the question is clear: How do we secure our nation, safeguard our people and set Nigeria irreversibly on the path of peace, growth and stability?

“The Strategic Plan 2025–2030 answers this question with vision, discipline and ambition.”

Akpabio said the National Assembly had passed several laws to strengthen defence, policing, intelligence coordination and cybersecurity, but noted that more work was needed.

“But legislation alone cannot secure our country. We must invest in people, technology, training and strategic partnerships,” he added.

He also stressed that security must involve citizens, traditional rulers, the private sector and the international community.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, said the plan was the product of research, consultations and inter-agency collaboration.

He said the long-term goal was to position the centre as a regional hub for countering terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.

Nigeria has struggled for over a decade with terrorism, mass abductions and violent crimes, with communities in the North-East, North-West and North-Central bearing the heaviest impact.

he new plan is expected to guide reforms in intelligence sharing, law enforcement coordination and community engagement over the next five years. (PUNCH)

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