By: Okoi Obono-Obla Introduction Terrorism is a cross-border crime that often involves perpetrators residing abroad to plan, sp...
By: Okoi Obono-Obla
Introduction
Terrorism is a cross-border crime that often involves perpetrators residing abroad to plan, sponsor, finance, and promote nefarious acts of violence on the soil of another country. The vicious September 11, 2001 attack on the heartland of the United States of America demonstrated how national interests could be gravely compromised. Even the Pentagon—the hub of America’s military and security apparatus and a symbol of its formidable power—was struck and momentarily reduced to vulnerability. This event triggered global action toward the internationalization of terrorism suppression and culminated in the adoption of several international instruments on counter-terrorism.
Global Instruments Against Terrorism:
The United Nations has spearheaded the development of key treaties that provide a framework for international cooperation:
- International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (1999): Requires states to criminalize the provision or collection of funds for terrorism and obligates them to prosecute or extradite offenders.
- International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997): Seeks to prevent and punish terrorist bombings, requiring states to prosecute or extradite those involved.
- International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005): Focuses on preventing and punishing acts of nuclear terrorism.
- International Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA Convention, 1988 & Protocols): Addresses attacks on ships and maritime facilities.
African Union Framework
In parallel, the African Union adopted the OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism in 1999, later supplemented by a Protocol. This framework emphasizes cooperation, criminalizes terrorist acts, and establishes legal bases for extradition and mutual assistance among member states. Collectively, these treaties highlight collaboration, cooperation, and partnership between countries in combating terrorism, which has been recognized as a grave crime posing serious danger to international peace, security, and the well-being of humanity.
Contemporary Collaboration: Nigeria and the United States
Against this backdrop, the recent collaboration between the United States of America and Nigeria—where Nigeria consented to targeted missile strikes on identified terrorist clusters and hubs in the North-Western region on December 25, 2025—is commendable and should be encouraged. Such cooperation does not expose Nigeria’s weakness, contrary to some opinions, but rather reflects a pragmatic approach to global security.
Historical Precedents
There are precedents for such collaboration. In 2011, the United States and Pakistan shared intelligence, enabling a crack team of U.S. special forces to enter Pakistan’s territory in Abbottabad to eliminate the notorious international terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, who had been hiding there while directing his collaborators to continue attacks worldwide. It is noteworthy that Pakistan is a medium-level military power with an arsenal of nuclear weapons, yet it still engaged in this cooperative effort.
Conclusion:
International collaboration in counter-terrorism is not a sign of weakness but of strategic foresight. By pooling intelligence, resources, and operational capacity, states strengthen their collective ability to confront terrorism, a crime that transcends borders and threatens the peace and security of all humanity.
@ Okoi Obono-Obla
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