NCTC, UNODC, Partners Move to Strengthen Response to Terrorism-Linked Sexual Violence

Maj. General Laka in a group photograph with participants 

"Survivors of sexual violence often suffer lasting physical injuries, psychological trauma, social stigma and difficulties accessing essential support." Major General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the NCTC.

..... Says "emergency responders must prioritise the safety, dignity and confidentiality of survivors while ensuring prompt medical attention, appropriate referrals and the preservation of evidence for investigations."

The National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and international partners are developing a practical toolkit to strengthen emergency responses to sexual and gender-based violence linked to terrorism.

The initiative was discussed at the Second Expert Group Meeting on the Development of a Toolkit for First Emergency Responders in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Cases Linked to Terrorism, held at the NCTC in Abuja on October 20 and 21, 2026.

National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, said survivors of sexual violence often suffer lasting physical injuries, psychological trauma, social stigma and difficulties accessing essential support.

He stressed that emergency responders must prioritise the safety, dignity and confidentiality of survivors while ensuring prompt medical attention, appropriate referrals and the preservation of evidence for investigations.

Laka said a coordinated and survivor-centred response was essential to addressing the consequences of sexual violence associated with terrorist activities.

The Nigeria Country Representative of UNODC, Cheikh Toure, said terrorist groups deliberately deploy sexual and gender-based violence to terrorise, punish and control individuals and communities.

He cited the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, in 2014 as an example of the devastating impact of terrorism-related violence on victims, families and communities.

Toure called for the proposed toolkit to reflect local realities, particularly in communities where emergency responders face inadequate training and limited resources.

He emphasised the need for practical guidance that would equip frontline personnel to respond effectively to survivors while supporting accountability for perpetrators.

Similarly, Sarah Weiss Ma’udi, Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said lessons from the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel had reinforced the importance of training emergency responders to identify sexual violence and preserve evidence appropriately.

She said the toolkit, being developed under UNODC leadership with support from Israel, Germany and Switzerland, would provide practical guidance that could be adapted to different national and cultural contexts.

Weiss Ma’udi also underscored the importance of sharing expertise among medical personnel, police officers, emergency volunteers and other frontline responders to improve survivor protection and strengthen accountability.

The meeting highlighted the need to translate the toolkit into local languages to make it accessible to responders working in diverse communities.

Participants also stressed stronger coordination among security agencies, healthcare providers, specialist support services and justice institutions to ensure that survivors receive timely and comprehensive assistance.

The meeting is expected to review the revised draft of the toolkit, assess its practical application and discuss arrangements for its finalisation and dissemination.

Among those attending were Anne Mosimann-Girardet, Senior Legal Adviser at the Directorate of International Law, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, who participated virtually; Lorena Mohr, Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Germany in Nigeria; Michael Abu, Head of Strategic Communication at the NCTC; Joaquín Zuckerberg, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer at UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention Branch; and Orly Maya Stern, a researcher and consultant with UNODC.

The initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of first responders to protect survivors, preserve evidence and support the pursuit of justice in cases of sexual and gender-based violence linked to terrorism.