Abuja: The Federal Government has emphasised prevention, human rights and community resilience in its fight against terrorism in the revised Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE). The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, highlighted this focus during a validation workshop on the revised policy framework.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Laka stated that the new framework reflects a shared national vision set to guide PCVE efforts for years to come. He underscored that the validation exercise goes beyond document review, aiming to endorse a vision that aligns with national priorities and international standards. Since the initial framework’s launch in 2017, Nigeria has advanced through non-kinetic measures, such as early-warning systems and youth empowerment.
Laka noted that the revised plan aims to address emerging threats, including socio-economic inequality and online radicalisation. He emphasised that Nigeria recognises the limitations of military responses alone in defeating violent extremism, advocating for a comprehensive approach that tackles underlying issues and strengthens communities.
The NCTC chief also highlighted the framework’s commitment to gender and youth engagement, human rights, and community-based approaches, ensuring dialogue and education are prioritised alongside security measures. EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, stressed the importance of implementing the strategy at state and local levels, advocating for governance presence to prevent marginalisation.
Retired Maj. Sanusi Kaura, representing traditional rulers as the Emir of Kaura Namoda, expressed the importance of their involvement in the framework’s design, affirming their readiness to support its success. The workshop, organised by the NCTC Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) with support from the EU and Hedayah International Centre, aims to finalise the draft framework before its adoption.