Nigeria’s Defence Minister Strengthens Global Anti-Terrorism Collaboration at Riyadh Meeting
Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, attended the Second Meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Defence Ministers’ Council in Saudi-Arebia.
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The gathering, chaired by Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi Arabian Defence Minister and Chairman of the Council of Defence Ministers of IMCTC member countries.
The Ministers would focuses on enhancing international efforts against terrorism, with a special emphasis on Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism endeavors, aiming to bolster security efforts in the African Sahel region.
The closed-door discussions also highlighted the enduring collaboration between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, covering military technology transfer and security cooperation.
The reported that the IMCTC was established in 2015, and the first-ever meeting of the Council of Defence Ministers was held in Riyadh on November 26, 2017.
The mission of the 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 organisations.
Its vision is to become a global leader in counter-terrorism and a primary partner in international security and peace-making efforts.
In addition to Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, the IMCTC has 40 other members, some of whom are Pakistan, Senegal, Kenya, Benin, Turkey, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Cote de Voírè, Egypt, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, among others.
Furthermore, IMCTC has an existing MoU with the USA, the 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.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister Strengthens Global Anti-Terrorism Collaboration at Riyadh Meeting