Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle , the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, is currently attending the Second Meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Defence Ministers’ Council in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Chaired by the Saudi Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Council of Defence Ministers, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Sa’ad, the meeting focuses on strengthening collaborative efforts against terrorism.
This was made available to newsmen in a release signed by Henshaw Ogubike Director of Information & PR, Ministry of Defence.
Established in 2015, with the inaugural Council of Defence Ministers meeting held in Riyadh on November 26, 2017, IMCTC aims to coordinate ideological, media, counter-terrorist financing, and military efforts among its member countries efficiently. It envisions becoming a global leader in counter-terrorism and a key partner in international security and peace-making initiatives.
In addition to Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, IMCTC boasts 40 other members, including Pakistan, Senegal, Kenya, Benin, Turkey, Guinea Bissau, Sudan, Cote de Voírè, Egypt, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. Additionally, IMCTC has MoUs with the USA, United Kingdom, and France as supporting countries, contributing initiatives, political participation, advocacy, information sharing, and resources.
The meeting highlighted terrorism issues in Nigeria, emphasizing the negative impact of Boko Haram, Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other groups. The Coalition praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its efforts against terrorism.
