•Bandits
Communities across the North West gathered in Kaduna today to express deep concerns over emerging threats linked to conflict and violent extremism, warning of growing alliances between bandits, old insurgent groups, and kidnappers.
The communities also raised alarm over the increasing radicalisation of youths in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, attributing it to poverty and worsening socio-economic conditions, reports The Nation.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Knowledge Innovation and Resource Hub (PCVE-KIRH) in Kaduna, Professor Dung Pam Sha, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Partnering Against Violent Extremism (PAVE), stressed the urgent need for fresh strategies to tackle the evolving security threats.
According to him, “Emerging issues and dynamics concerning violent extremism in the North West are raising serious concerns. We are beginning to see alliances between bandits and old insurgents, and kidnappers are increasingly becoming part of these networks.”
He called on security practitioners, government agencies, and community leaders to develop innovative responses to counter the shifting threats and prevent further destabilisation of the region.
“We are beginning to see the young ones in Internally Displaced Camps (IDP’s) being radicalised, and we are also seeing how transborder criminals are getting into the country and are exacerbating the crises and security situation in the country.
“One of the strategies we think should be used is to ensure that the government increases its presence at the borders and increases the budget to help and protect the borders. Civil society should play a role in helping deradicalise the young ones who are being radicalised in displaced camps.
“We also think that traditional rulers must play a very key role in understanding these dynamics by ensuring they work very closely with the government, security agencies and civil society. Everybody should be an actor and should play a role in securing the nation,” he said.
Jaye Gaskia, the Chairman, PAVE Network Steering Committee, said it is hoped that at the end of all the engagements with the necessary stakeholders will contribute to the development and implementation of pathways, frameworks and processes that will enable shared, coordinated, collaborative, and participatory approaches to addressing and tackling issues in the evolving context and dynamics of violent extremism in North West Nigeria, and across Nigeria, and the Sahel as well.
Mohammed Auwal Aliyu, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Staff Officer, PCVE, said the theme, ‘Emerging Issues and Dynamics in PCVE in North West Nigeria’, signifies an important step in fortifying a collective commitment to peace, security, and resilience in the region.
He said though the challenges are dynamic, through determination to innovate and adapt through collaboration, learning, and resourcefulness the issues can be addressed.
