Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has praised the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) for its training programmes aimed at enhancing the counterterrorism capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Dr. Matawalle made the remarks during his official visit to the IMCTC headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
His visit highlights Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to improving its defense strategies and promoting international cooperation in the global fight against terrorism.
In a statement issued in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday by his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Dr. Matawalle emphasized the positive impact of the IMCTC’s training initiatives on the operational readiness of Nigeria’s military, even as he commended Secretary-General of IMCTC) for the programmes
“The various types of training provided by the IMCTC have been instrumental in improving the capacity of our armed forces to combat terrorism,” Dr. Matawalle said. He also lauded the Coalition’s dedication to global peace and security, reaffirming Nigeria’s continued partnership with the organization.
While in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Matawalle is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening defense and counterterrorism cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
The IMCTC, based in Riyadh, is an intergovernmental alliance of Muslim-majority countries committed to combating terrorism through intelligence sharing, training, and joint operations. Nigeria has been a key participant in the coalition, benefiting from its programs designed to address evolving terrorist threats.
The training provided by the IMCTC has enabled Nigeria to adopt modern counterterrorism strategies and enhance inter-agency collaboration within its military forces.
Since Dr. Matawalle assumed office, the Nigerian Armed Forces have made notable strides in combating terrorism, partly due to partnerships with international organizations like the IMCTC. His current visit is viewed as an effort to strengthen these alliances and explore further avenues for collaboration.
“These collaborations are critical for regional stability and the global fight against terrorism,” said a security analyst in Abuja.
Dr. Matawalle’s visit to Riyadh is expected to further solidify Nigeria’s international defense partnerships, positioning the country at the forefront of efforts to combat terrorism and promote global peace.
