International Day Against Extremism: BRAVE-IT Urges Unity, Smarter Security as Nigeria Battles Terror

International Day Against Extremism: BRAVE-IT Urges Unity, Smarter Security as Nigeria Battles Terror

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

As the world marked the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when it is conducive to terrorism, the National Coordinator of Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism, Insurgency and Terrorism (BRAVE-IT), Dr AK Peters, has called for stronger national unity, improved security strategies, and deeper community resilience to confront Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.

Speaking to commemorate the United Nations-designated day, Dr Peters said the occasion was not just a ceremonial observance but a moment for renewed national commitment to safeguard lives and defend shared values.

He lamented that Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency across several regions, particularly in the Northeast, Northwest, and parts of the North-Central.

According to him, attacks on civilians, abductions of schoolchildren, ambushes on security personnel, and destruction of communities represent “crimes against humanity” that threaten the nation’s stability and collective future.

“No ideology or grievance can justify the taking of innocent lives,” he declared, condemning in strong terms the wave of violent attacks across the country.

“Violence against civilians is evil, and the recruitment of young people into extremist networks is a direct assault on our shared humanity.”

While condemning the perpetrators, Dr. Peters emphasised that prevention requires more than words.

He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to adopt more intelligence-driven, technology-enabled, and community-based strategies to counter evolving threats.

The National Coordinator advocated increased investment in surveillance systems, border security, deradicalisation initiatives, and improved welfare for security personnel.

At the same time, he acknowledged the sacrifices of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante groups.

He acknowledged that numerous officers have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and demanded ongoing national support for their efforts.

Dr Peters also highlighted the importance of international collaboration, particularly partnerships between Nigeria and the United States in counterterrorism training, intelligence sharing, and capacity building.

Violent extremism, he said, is a transnational threat that requires coordinated global action.

However, he stressed that security operations alone cannot defeat extremism.

According to him, poverty, marginalisation, injustice, and lack of opportunity create fertile grounds for radicalisation. Through BRAVE-IT, he said the focus remains on strengthening resilience within families, schools, faith institutions, and local communities.

He urged community leaders, parents, and civil society groups to remain vigilant, encourage critical thinking among youths, and reject narratives that promote hate and division.

“Silence enables violence. Unity defeats it,” he stated, calling on Nigerians to report suspicious activities and refuse to provide safe haven to criminal elements.

Dr. Peters further appealed to political leaders to avoid politicising insecurity, noting that violent extremism does not discriminate based on party, tribe, or religion.

“When violence strikes, it strikes Nigeria,” he said, urging bipartisan cooperation to develop a sustainable national security framework beyond election cycles.

Reaffirming BRAVE–IT’s commitment to prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs, he called on all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector, and international partners, to work collectively to dismantle extremist networks and restore peace.

“History will judge our generation not by the size of the threats we faced, but by the unity we forged in confronting them,” Dr Peters said.

He expressed optimism that through collaboration, resilience, and shared resolve, Nigeria can overcome violent extremism and secure a future where citizens live without fear.