President Tinubu Appoints Garba Laka Counter-terrorism Center Coordinator

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major-General Adamu Garba Laka as the new National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Tinubu also appointed DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd) as the new Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which is also under the Office of the NSA.

The two appointments were announced Tuesday evening in separate statements by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

Gen. Garba Laka and DIG Kokumo served the country in various capacities at different times.

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Major-General Adamu Garba Laka as the new National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“General Laka served in various capacities in the North-East, Nigeria, where he deployed tactical means to degrade terrorist groups. He also served in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo under the United Nations and was part of the Nigerian contingent in the US AFRICOM exercise in Senegal.

“He holds Master’s Degrees in National Security from the National Defence University, Pakistan, and in International Affairs and Strategic Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy.

“The President anticipates that General Laka will bring his vast experience into this critical role to effectively remove security threats through pre-emptive, proactive, and diligent counter-terrorism coordination”, the statement said.

A second statement, announcing DIG Kokumo’s appointment reads: “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd) as the new Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“DIG Kokumo (rtd) is a seasoned and accomplished law enforcement professional with over 30 years of experience in crime prevention, management, analysis, and control.

“He was Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, from 2022 to 2023.

“The President expects that the new Coordinator will deploy his immense experience and expertise in efforts to revamp the Centre and evolve new strategies to bring lasting solutions to the menace of arms proliferation which is a significant driver of insecurity in the country.”