By Ben Agande, Abuja.
The Federal Government has set up a position of Counter-Terrorism Coordinator in the Office of the National Security Adviser in order to coordinate efforts of the counter-terrorism units in all security agencies.
President Goodluck Jonathan stated this while declaring open the Regional Conference on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja.
President Jonathan who was represented by Vice president Namadi Sambo said the federal government is embarking on measures to enhance the country’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
According to the president a number of measures have been put in place to strengthen the security outfits against terrorism, which is relatively new phenomenon in the country.
President Jonathan said “recognising the complex and mutating nature of terrorism, we adopted a comprehensive and overarching counter-terrorism approach that integrates national, regional, multilateral and functional responses”.
He said the fundamental response has been predicated on providing citizens focused legal framework that would underpin counter-terrorism efforts, in line with the Administration’s focus on ensuring that the Rule of Law guides all aspects of national life.
Some of the far-reaching measures, according to Mr. President, were the signing into law on 3rd June, 2011 the Terrorism Prevention Act (TPA) 2011 and the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011. Jonathan added that he has transmitted to the National Assembly, a Bill seeking amendments to the Terrorism Prevention Act, in order to further strengthen the legal framework for combating terrorism.
In order to further enhance the capability of counter terrorism in the country, the President said Other measure include setting up of a Fusion Centre that would serve as a processing point for all-source intelligence and development of appropriate technology, other measures, according to him are outside of public domain for security reasons.
While commending the organisers of the conference with the theme “Containing Terrorism in West Africa”, for the laudable initiative to assemble security and intelligence chiefs across the sub-region and allies from many parts of the world, Jonathan opined the need to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, stem the tide of the transnational terrorist activities.
Earlier, the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, Rtd. and Special Adviser to the President on Counter-Terrorism, Major General Sarki Yaki Bello spoke on the occasion.
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