The Zamfara State Chapter of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network has
expressed concerns over increasing threat of violence, extremism and banditry activities in Zamfara communities, urged the media to amplifying peace messages, counter misinformation.
The network also urged residents to unite against violent extremism to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.
The State Chairperson of the Network, Hajiya Aishatu Abdu Gusau who expressed this at a press conference in Gusau, described the recent use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by bandits on major roads in the state as a issue of serious concern.
Abdu Gusau called for stronger community-based prevention efforts and more media support in amplifying peace messages and counter misinformation with a view of reducing the threat on innocent communities.
She noted that Zamfara and other North-West states continue to face complex security challenges driven more by criminality, poverty, weak governance and community distrust than by extremist ideology alone.
“The recent IED incidents along the Anka and Dansadau area within the last one month, which targeted innocent travelers is a serious issue to be give more attention by all stakeholders.
“The broader security situation in the North-West is worsened by the proliferation of armed groups, rising banditry and kidnapping, economic marginalization in rural communities, and weak community safety structures. She stressed that these challenges require preventive and inclusive responses beyond military action,” she noted.
Abdu Gusau further said that the PAVE Network has recorded progress in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) through stakeholder capacity building, including workshops for government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, women, youth groups and civil society organizations.
“These engagements helped identify local drivers of violent extremism and support the co-creation of State and Local Action Plans (SAPs and LAPs).
“Community dialogues and peer-learning exchanges across the North-West have strengthened collaboration, reduced duplication of efforts and promoted youth empowerment and early warning mechanisms at the grassroots.
“Advocacy visits to state governments and legislatures have also helped secure political support for PCVE policies and resource allocation., she explained.
According to her, community resilience campaigns held across several communities have promoted peace education, tolerance and conflict awareness, resulting in increased community interest and ownership of PCVE initiatives.
“She said the state has also begun integrating PCVE into budget proposals and setting up technical working groups.
She identified challenges such as the continued presence of armed groups, youth unemployment, weak intelligence sharing in some local government areas and gaps in mainstreaming PCVE into sectoral plans.
She emphasized that security operations alone cannot end violent extremism.
She called on the stakeholders such as traditional and religious leaders, NGOs CSOs to continue to support grassroots mobilization, youths and women to drive positive narratives, and government agencies to integrate PCVE into planning and budgeting.
“Media should responsibly amplify peace messages and counter misinformation,” she said.
She assured that the PAVE Network to work with all stakeholders to promote peace, resilience and inclusive security, stressing that building a safer Zamfara State is a shared responsibility of government and citizens alike.