Yobe Strengthens Fight Against Extremism with New Peace Network Chapter
By Alhaji Yusuf, Damaturu
In a significant step to bolster community-led peace efforts, the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network has officially launched its Yobe State chapter.
The launch followed a high-level, one-day advocacy workshop on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), which brought together key stakeholders to harmonize strategies against radical ideologies.
The workshop served as a crucial platform for collaboration, uniting representatives from the Yobe State Ministry of Justice, Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth & Sports, the military, police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), vigilante groups, civil society organizations, and the media.
Speaking at the event, the Yobe State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Sale Samanja—represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Barrister Abdullahi Yusuf—endorsed the initiative.
“This topic is indeed timely, as violent extremism in our communities is becoming increasingly prevalent. By bringing these critical stakeholders together, we can work towards addressing this menace. I hope we will conclude with a strong action plan to effectively deal with this issue,” Samanja said.
In her welcome address, the PAVE Network Chairperson—represented by Maryam Aje of the African Youth for Peace, Development, and Empowerment Foundation—outlined the network’s objectives.
She explained that PAVE serves as an umbrella for civil society organizations working against violent extremism and aims to integrate State Technical Working Groups into a national framework.
Aje also highlighted the evolving nature of security threats in Nigeria.
“The emergence of banditry in the Northwest has given us new dimensions for understanding violent extremism. The conversation must expand beyond groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP to include other proscribed extremist organizations,” she noted.
According to her, the landmark initiative was made possible by a coalition of partners, including PCVE-KIR, ActionAid Nigeria, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), the North East Youth Initiative for Development (NEYIF), and the African Youth for Peace and Development (AFRYDEV).
