UNODC Launches Handbook On Counter-Terrorism Investigations

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would launch a new ‘Handbook on Counter-Terrorism Investigations’ developed exclusively for Nigerian investigators working in the counterterrorism arena.

According to a statement made available to THE WHISTLER on Sunday in Abuja by Outreach and Communications, UNODC Nigeria, Sylvester Atere, said the handbook on counter-terrorism investigations was designed to help Nigerian investigators to develop the skills and approaches necessary to ensure that evidence left behind at crime scenes is recovered and analyzed, adding that investigative leads are effectively identified and pursued, and that potential intelligence opportunities are leveraged and exploited.

He explained that Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have embraced a wide range of indiscriminate terrorist tactics, including car bombings, suicide vest attacks, kidnappings, stand-off attacks, and close quarter assaults. 

Atere also added that targets have included military bases, busy markets and shopping centers, government offices, traffic stops, schools, places of worship, and funerals, stressing that 75 percent of these attacks have impacted civilians and more than 37,000 people have been killed.

“Each terrorist incident poses unique and significant challenges to the law enforcement and security professionals charged both with finding the individuals responsible, along with those who supported and directed them, and also with the weighty responsibility of trying to prevent the next attack, ” he said.

The production of the Handbook on Counter-Terrorism Investigations was fully funded by the European Union as part of the longstanding EU-Nigeria-UNODC-CTED Partnership Project to support Nigeria to strengthen criminal justice measures for preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism.  

In his foreword to the handbook, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Adamu welcomed the launch of the handbook while thanking UNODC for its contribution to Nigeria’s struggle against terrorism.

Adamu said: “The multi-faceted challenges posed by 21st century terrorist organizations require the adoption of innovative new approaches both on the frontline and in cyberspace. 

“As terrorism evolves, so must we… This handbook is a demonstration of continuous and sustained UNODC support towards strengthening the Nigeria Police Force.” 

UNODC Country Representative to Nigeria, Oliver Stolpe, echoed the IGP’s comments, saying: “by combining sound foundational principles with the latest advances in forensic science and investigative best practice, we hope that this Handbook will become an indispensable aid for police trainers working across the country, and help a new generation of Nigerian counterterrorism investigators to hold offenders to account and deliver justice to their victims.” 

Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, emphasized the important role of the law enforcement can play in combatting terrorism.

“The EU is supporting the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria in a comprehensive and multifaceted way. A key focus is on backing Nigerian-led initiatives that strengthen criminal justice responses to terrorism. 

“The Nigerian Handbook on Counter-Terrorism Investigations, developed with top international expertise from UNODC, will no doubt help conducting more coherent and valid investigations, ” he said.