ECOWAS approves $2.85m for Nigeria, four member states to tackle terrorism

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved urgent financial support of $2.85 million to each of five member states as part of its efforts to combat terrorism in the region.

The funds will go to Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo, countries currently grappling with various security challenges. The ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government directed that the donations be sourced from the bloc’s regional security fund.

Following its 68th ordinary session held in Abuja, the authority also called for the rapid operationalization of the regional counterterrorism brigade, in line with funding mechanisms outlined by ECOWAS ministers of finance and defense. The bloc instructed the commission to convene meetings of the committees of chiefs of intelligence services and chiefs of defense staff to advance the brigade’s activation.

In its communique, ECOWAS expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation across West Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, citing ongoing attacks, kidnappings, and sabotage by terrorist groups, insurgents, and bandits. The authority noted that six million people in the region have been affected by mass displacement and humanitarian crises.

The regional bloc also condemned the recent abductions of schoolchildren in northern Nigeria and praised President Bola Tinubu for securing their release. ECOWAS urged the international community, including the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Security Council, to respond promptly and in a coordinated manner to support countries affected by terrorism.

At the summit, President Tinubu called on regional leaders to unite against terrorism and military takeovers, emphasizing the need for strengthened collaboration with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to address the escalating security threats in West Africa.