By Mariama Bundu
A high-powered delegation from the Nigerian National Defence College visited the Office of National Security last week as part of a week-long study tour in Sierra Leone.
Led by Air Commodore Edmund Olushola Oluokun, the delegation included six faculty members, 21 students from Course 34, three international participants from Chad, Ghana, and Liberia, and administrative staff.
In welcoming the visitors, National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker highlighted the enduring bilateral ties between Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
A minute of silent prayer was observed in honour of Nigerian soldiers who supported Sierra Leone during its civil war.
Air Commodore Oluokun praised the hospitality and shared insights about the NDC, describing it as Nigeria’s premier strategic military institution, training senior officers and selected civilian officials in national security, defence policy, and strategic decision-making.
He emphasized its role in regional cooperation and peace across Africa.
The visit included a presentation by Director of Provincial and Border Security, Mohamed Bankapoma Bangura, on “Security Dynamics and Emerging Threats in Resource-Rich Areas,” focusing on Sierra Leone’s extractive industry and its implications for national security.
Delegates engaged actively, asking questions about border conflicts and security management.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Caulker encouraged stronger Sierra Leone–Nigeria ties to enhance regional peace and security, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to defence partnerships and strategic dialogue in the sub-region.
