The Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.Gen. Adamu Laka, has identified Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) as one of the most potent threats to personnel engage in counter-terrorism operations, particular in the North-East.

Laka also said that beyond the tragic loss of lives and injuries, IEDs have severely disrupted agricultural and economic activities, restricted humanitarian access, displaced communities, and undermined investor confidence in affected areas.

The Coordinator stated this at the opening of a 5-day Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Baseline Assessment Workshop on Wednesday. The workshop was organised by the NCTC, in collaboration with the United Nations Mines Action Service (UNMAS) and UKAID.

Laka added that the impacts of IEDs attacks extend far beyond the theatre and continue to affect the stability and recovery of communities across the country.

“It is in recognition of this threat that the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy identified the development of a National Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Strategy as a key priority.

“Guided by the Lomé Recommendations of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, the Centre has been working with international partners to develop a threat-aligned and coordinated framework that will strengthen our national ability to counter the evolving use of Improvised Explosive Devices by terrorist groups,* he said.

He said the objective of the workshop is to ensure that efforts across government institutions are harmonised and supported by the right policy, operational, and technical mechanisms required to address the challenge effectively.

The event, he said, brought together multi-agency and multinational community comprising members of the Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, as well as representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and our valued international partners.

He said the presence of the participants was a pointer to the shared understanding that the threat posed by Improvised Explosive Devices is neither confined to one institution nor to one region. “It is both a national and transnational challenge that requires a unified response built on a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach.”

According to him, the purpose of this baseline assessment is to objectively evaluate our national Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices capabilities and identify gaps across key operational pillars.

He said through tools such as the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Self-Assessment framework, the workshop will generate empirical data, strengthen multi-agency coordination, and support the development of a realistic and sustainable National Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Strategy.

In his comments, the United Nations Mines Action Service, Mr Edwin Faigmane, said the UN and its entities work on counter-IEDs aimed to mitigate the threats of IEDs on personnel, civilians and infrastructure.

“UNMES, the global focal point for mine action of the United Nations, leads efforts to develop IED-threatened locations, as well as working with member states to develop national counter-IED capabilities, aligning training with international standards,” he said.

Faigmane said the workshop is part of a programme which began in 2024 with operational assessment of the EOD and IED capabilities of the Nigerian police, leading to the training of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to deliver risk education in areas that are hard to reach.

On his part, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Mark Flood, noted that the outcome of the workshop will offer practical ways to enhance Nigeria’s counter-IED enterprise.

Represented by Annup Uyes, Flood urged the participants to be forthright in offering insights to protect communities and people and making sure that those who keep the community safe have the systems, training, and coordination needed to do so effectively.

Also speaking, the Corps Commander, Engineering, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Shamsideen Shafaru, said IEDs remain one of the most potent and adaptive weapons employed by hostile elements across multiple operational theatres.

He said countering the threat requires a unified, intelligence-driven, and capability-focused approach involving all relevant stakeholders, as no single organisation can effectively address the challenge.

“By examining existing capabilities, procedures, training frameworks, equipment, and coordination mechanisms, we will be better positioned to identify critical gaps, enhance synergy, and optimise our collective strengths,” he said.