The National Counter Terrorism Centre has commended Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State for keying into the centre’s initiative with a commitment to ensure the safety of the good people of the state.
A high-level team of the Counter Terrorism Centre visited the Governor on Thursday at the council chamber of the government house in Gusau.
During the visit, the centre provides leadership and strategic guidance to the Armed Forces, Security, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Agencies on Counterterrorism, aligning with the National Security Adviser’s mandate.
Speaking, Governor Dauda Lawal appreciated the centre’s visit to Zamfara with the mission to observe the government’s efforts to address the lingering security challenges in the state.
“I keep saying that, if you make a conscious effort to handle Zamfara effectively as far as insecurity is concerned, you will solve 80% of the security challenges in the North.
“From all the initiatives I have seen so far, we possess what it takes to tackle these challenges based on consultation and collaboration between Zamfara state and the Office of the National Security Adviser. This is commendable.
“I am happy to hear that the European Union has set aside some funds, even though we will provide a counterpart fund. In Zamfara, we are ever ready to provide the counterpart funding. If you are ready tomorrow, we are ready.
“We are ready, and our door is open. Anything that will bring positive changes to Zamfara is welcome. We need a timeline for what you are doing so that we can keep track. I will have a team that will be engaging with the counter-terrorism centre.”
Earlier, the Head of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), Amb. Mairo Musa Abbas, said the team is in Zamfara State on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the National Counter Terrorism Coordinator, Major General Adamu Garba Laka. “We are here as part of the strategic nationwide advocacy engagement.”
“We want to thank you once again for your hospitality in hosting us in Zamfara State and for the leadership you provided to the people. We look forward to collaborating to ensure that Zamfara becomes a beacon of hope in the fight against banditry and other high profile criminal activities”, Ambassador Mairo has said.
