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.

SYEF Warns Against Dragging Gov. Ahmed Aliyu into TikToker Car Gift Controversy

By Umar Ahmad

The Sokoto Youth Emancipation Front (SYEF) has cautioned critics and commentators to stop linking Governor Ahmed Aliyu to the controversy surrounding the reported donation of a car to a Kaduna-based TikToker, Rahama Saidu.

Addressing journalists in Sokoto, the group’s leader, Comrade Hamisu Sani, described the alleged gesture by one Sanin Jaman as a private act that should not be associated with the governor or the Sokoto State Government.

Sani noted that while acts of charity are welcome, tying such gestures to the name of the governor sends the wrong message about the state’s priorities, especially at a time when many residents are grappling with serious socio-economic challenges.

He emphasised that the Ahmed Aliyu administration has consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting vulnerable people through structured programs and targeted interventions. According to him, portraying Sokoto as a place where publicity-driven gestures take precedence over urgent needs does not reflect the reality of the government’s efforts.

The SYEF leader acknowledged that the state requires increased charitable support but stressed that such interventions must be properly coordinated to ensure they reach those who need them most. He encouraged philanthropists to collaborate with relevant government agencies or credible organisations capable of identifying and addressing priority areas.

Sani pointed out that Sokoto hosts numerous vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons affected by banditry, as well as impoverished residents within the metropolis who require immediate assistance. He argued that the resources reportedly used for the car donation could have made a more meaningful impact if they were channelled toward improving the welfare of these groups.

The group further appealed to wealthy individuals to align their philanthropic efforts with the developmental agenda of the state, encouraging them to complement ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of citizens, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

SYEF also warned against actions capable of tarnishing the image of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, insisting that the alleged car donation, if it indeed took place, was carried out without the knowledge or approval of the Sokoto State Government or the governor himself.

KEPYO Hails FG, Kebbi Govt as Reopened Niger Border Sparks Economic Hope

 By Umar Ahmad

The Kebbi Progressive Youths Organization (KEPYO) has commended the Federal Government and the Kebbi State Government for their joint efforts that led to the reopening of the Kebbi–Niger border for commercial activities, describing the move as timely and economically strategic.

Addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, KEPYO’s spokesperson, Comrade Musa Adamu, said the decision has breathed new life into border communities where economic activities had slowed due to the prolonged closure. He noted that the reopening would significantly revive regional trade and strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and the Niger Republic.

According to him, traders, transporters, and artisans—many of whom are young people—stand to benefit immensely as cross-border commerce resumes, restoring livelihoods that were negatively affected during the shutdown.

Comrade Adamu particularly praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Ahmed Idris, for what he described as strong political will and consistency in governance. He said the development reflects leadership that goes beyond promises to tangible action.

He also highlighted the role played by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, noting that the coordinated efforts between the Federal Government and Kebbi State underscore the strategic importance of the border to both the state’s economy and Nigeria’s diplomatic and trade relations with its neighbour.

KEPYO, however, urged security and trade agencies operating at the border to maintain effective coordination to curb smuggling and other illegal activities while ensuring that legitimate trade flows smoothly.

The organisation expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among all stakeholders would boost economic growth and improve the overall welfare of residents across Kebbi State, especially in border communities.