Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Counter Terrorism Centre has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to placing victims at the centre of counter-terrorism response, saying national security efforts must go beyond military action to include structured support and reintegration.
The position was conveyed in Abuja at the opening of a two-day workshop organised in collaboration with the Spain government.
Speaking on behalf of the National Coordinator, Major General AG Laka, the representative of the Centre, said terrorism leaves deep physical, psychological, and socio-economic scars that require deliberate national attention.
He noted that the gathering was not merely a technical exercise but a humanitarian call to action.
According to him, victims deserve justice, dignity, and opportunities for healing.
“While Nigeria continues to strengthen counter-terrorism strategies, we must ensure those directly affected are not forgotten. Victims deserve more than sympathy — they deserve structured support,” he said.
The Centre explained that the workshop would strengthen coordinated, trauma-informed, and victim-centred responses across government institutions, civil society organisations, and development partners.
Participants are expected to identify gaps in assistance mechanisms and propose practical solutions at national and community levels.
He added that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s national counter-terrorism strategy, which recognises victims as essential to sustainable peace and security.
The workshop is also expected to improve collaboration among stakeholders and promote gender-sensitive support frameworks.
The Centre commended the Spanish Government and facilitators for supporting the programme and urged participants to actively contribute practical recommendations.
He assured that authorities would continue to pursue a humane and inclusive response to terrorism aimed at restoring hope and dignity to affected citizens.
END
