Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called for a shift from short-term, reactive approaches to long-term strategic planning in tackling insecurity, including terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
Speaking at the unveiling of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategic Plan 2025–2030 at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, Akpabio noted, “This Strategic Plan translates intent into action and action into measurable results. Security is not the duty of government alone; it requires the collective effort of citizens, communities, traditional institutions, the private sector, and international partners.”
The plan stresses a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with an emphasis on institutional transformation, upgrading security architecture, improving national resilience, and extending domestic and international alliances.
Akpabio outlined three main pillars: Strengthening National Resilience—Early warning systems, community intelligence, and quick reaction capabilities will allow individuals to be active security partners.
Modernization and Technology Integration—Using drones, cybersecurity, data analytics, and integrated command centers to combat emerging threats.
Regional and international cooperation includes cross-border intelligence sharing, joint operations, and coordination to combat terrorism, trafficking, and cybercrime.
He also advocated for private sector involvement, pointing out that government resources alone cannot match the technology and capacity requirements of current security systems.
To assure success, the Senate will offer oversight, maintain financial discipline, and require demonstrable performance.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, defined the Plan as a road map for Nigeria to prevent, disrupt, and battle terrorism using coordinated, integrated, and inclusive tactics.
The plan outlines nine strategic priorities, including intelligence analysis, legal support, Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) programs, regional cooperation, institutional capacity building, and funding mobilization, all of which are supported by measurable indicators of accountability and impact.
Akpabio added, “This plan is more than a document—it is a promise that insecurity will not define our national identity. Together, we can build a secure, united, and prosperous Nigeria.”
