Inter-Agency Coordination and Counter-Terrorism Policy Implementation in North East Nigeria

This study examines the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination mechanisms in the implementation of counter-terrorism policy in North East Nigeria, particularly in Borno and Yobe States, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency. Effective counter-terrorism requires seamless coordination among security agencies, civilian governance structures, and humanitarian actors, yet institutional fragmentation remains a persistent challenge. Using a professional research design incorporating key informant interviews and document reviews, the study engaged 45 respondents including defence and police officials, civilian joint task force representatives, state emergency management officials, and civil society analysts. Secondary data include counter-terrorism strategy documents and inter-agency committee reports from 2021 to 2024. The Network Governance Theory provides the theoretical framework, emphasising the importance of structured collaboration among diverse actors in addressing complex security challenges. Findings reveal that operational coordination between the military, police, and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has improved but remains hampered by information-sharing barriers, command hierarchy conflicts, and inadequate integration of civilian intelligence into military operations. The study recommends the establishment of a formally mandated inter-agency counter-terrorism coordination centre at the state level, regular inter-agency simulation exercises, and a unified operational theatre information management system. Keywords: inter-agency coordination, counter-terrorism, North East Nigeria, Borno State, Yobe State.