UK pledges to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism

The United Kingdom has pledged to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

This is part of the agreements reached at the second United Kingdom – Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) Dialogue at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, Nigeria from 7 to 8 February 2024.

The Dialogue was a follow-up to the inaugural Dialogue which was held in London from 31 January to 2 February 2022.

In a communique made available to Daily Trust on Wednesday, the UK and Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to work together to respond to the shared threat of terrorism.

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The UK offered to share its experience of delivering a multi-agency approach to counter-terrorism to support Nigeria’s cross-agency synergy.

To support the degradation of terrorist groups, the UK offered to share insight on terrorism financing, which will ensure the broader economy is protected from the threats of the financing of terrorism.

The UK and Nigeria also reaffirmed the commitment to continue to work together in support of an integrated strategy that addresses underlying drivers and vulnerabilities of violent extremism.

Both governments also committed to promoting transparent, comprehensive and human rights-compliant defection, as well as Defection, Demobilisation, Disengagement and De-radicalisation and Reintegration (4DR) processes.

“The United Kingdom committed to continuing its support to Operation Safe Corridor as a pathway for the reintegration of individuals into communities previously affected by armed conflict,” the communique said in part.

More so, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to countering violent extremism in Nigeria and to cooperate on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The UK will continue to provide targeted training and capacity building and will support the modernisation and transformation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Priority areas include assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria institutions; human security; as well as doctrine and the development of joint operational planning.

Furthermore, the UK and Nigeria agreed to explore a closer partnership on the development of Nigeria’s Defence Special Operations Force, Strategic Communications and defence sales trading relationship.