Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Kaduna State Chapter of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Network (PAVE Network) has cautioned Nigerians against an overreliance on military solutions in addressing insecurity in the country.
PAVE believes that sustainable peace can only be achieved through evidence-based, community-led interventions among Nigerians.
Its spokesman and Coordinator, Eric John, while speaking to newsmen on activities of the group in Kaduna reviewed the state of violent extremism in Kaduna and the wider North-West and outlined ongoing non-kinetic efforts to address the challenge.
According to him, Kaduna’s security situation remains complex due to its strategic location, long-standing communal tensions, farmer-herder conflicts and the spillover of armed banditry from neighbouring states.
He said, “Extremist and criminal groups continue to exploit forested areas, porous borders and socio-economic vulnerabilities, particularly youth unemployment.”
He explained that violent extremism cannot be defeated by force alone, kinetic approaches, if not complemented by prevention, dialogue and development-focused strategies, risk addressing symptoms rather than root causes.
The spokesman stated that their focus is on what works in the long term; early warning, early response, community trust and inclusive development, saying that the PAVE Network has prioritised capacity building and dialogue across Kaduna and the North-West.
He pointing out that this PAVE has done by bringing together government institutions, security agencies, traditional leaders, women and youth groups to co-create practical State and Local Action Plans on PCVE, stressing that these engagements have helped communities articulate their own vulnerabilities and prevention priorities.
John also observed that community resilience campaigns carried out in several localities have strengthened peace education, tolerance messaging and local networks that counter extremist narratives at the grassroots.
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