As part of efforts to strengthen international collaboration against terrorism as well as address Nigeria’s security challenges, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle is attending the Second Meeting of Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Chaired by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Sa’ad, the meeting is expected to improve international collaboration against terrorism, while strengthening military efforts in counter-terrorism. Prince Khalid Al Sa’ad is also the Chairman, Council of Defence Ministers of IMCTC member countries.
Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike who confirmed Nigeria’s participation in the meeting, said “the meeting, which serves as platform for member nations to review security challenges across the African Sahel region would eventually aid in putting an end to Boko Haram, ISWAP and other terrorist groups in Nigeria.”
During the meeting, issues of terrorism in Nigeria were highlighted pointing out the negative impact of Boko Haram, Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other terrorist groups. The effort of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against terrorism in particular and security in general, was also commended by the coalition.
In-line with its core values and strategic objectives, IMCTC reiterated its commitment to support and collaborate with the Nigerian Government in the fight against terrorism. This was made known during a closed door meeting between the representative of the Saudi Minister of Defence, Chief of Joint Staff, Secretary General of IMCTC, Nigerian Minister of State for Defence and other major stakeholders of the Saudi Government.
The longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia was also emphasized while issues of collaboration, transfer of military technology and Memorandum of Understanding on security cooperation were also discussed during the closed door meeting.
IMCTC was established in 2015, while the first ever meeting of the Council of Defence Ministers was held in Riyadh on 26 November 2017.
The mission of IMCTC is aimed at coordinating ideological, media and counter-terrorist financing and military efforts within its member countries with a high degree of efficiency and effectiveness, unifying and supporting them in partnership with friendly countries in counter terrorism and international organizations. Its vision is to become a global leader on counter-terrorism and a primary partner in international security and peace making efforts.
In addition to Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, IMCTC has 40 other members some of which are Pakistan, Senegal, Kenya, Benin, Turkey, Guinea Bissau, Sudan, Cote de Voírè, Egypt, Sierra Leona and Uganda amongst others.
IMCTC has an existing MoU with USA, United Kingdom and France as supporting countries to the Coalition whose roles include developing initiatives, political participation, advocacy, sharing information and providing resources to IMCTC when required.
