By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Dutse, Dec. 31, 2025 – The Jigawa State chapter of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network has issued a clarion call for residents to unite against violent extremism, framing it as a critical defense to sustain the state’s hard-won peace. This appeal comes not from a position of crisis, but of proactive vigilance against a complex regional threat landscape.
During a press conference in Dutse, the state Chairman of PAVE, Mr. Misbahu Basirka, underscored the urgency of collective action. “Our appeal is a necessary shield,” Basirka stated, “aimed at preventing the spillover effects of violent extremism from destabilizing parts of the country into Jigawa State.” This warning highlights a central, often underestimated, reality of modern security: instability is contagious, and borders are permeable.
Basirka outlined the multifaceted security challenges engulfing the North-West region, describing them as “evolving and interconnected.” The threat matrix extends beyond a single group or tactic, encompassing violent extremist ideologies, rampant banditry, sophisticated organized criminal networks, and pressures from cross-border movements. While Jigawa has been a relative oasis of stability compared to neighbours like Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna, its porous borders and shared socio-economic fabric mean it is far from immune.
PAVE’s assessments, as explained by Basirka, trace the roots of these threats to a dangerous confluence of drivers:
- Proliferation of Armed Groups: The region has seen a fragmentation of armed non-state actors, creating a volatile marketplace of violence where alliances shift and tactics blend.
- Criminal Enterprises: Banditry and kidnapping have become entrenched economies, exploiting governance gaps and poverty.
- Socio-Economic Grievances: Chronic youth unemployment and a sense of rural economic marginalization create a fertile recruiting ground for extremist and criminal groups promising purpose and income.
- Weak Community Resilience: Erosion of traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms and social cohesion leaves communities vulnerable to divisive narratives.
“These realities demonstrate that security responses alone are insufficient,” Basirka stressed, moving the conversation beyond mere law enforcement. He championed the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) framework as the sustainable path forward. Unlike purely militarized approaches, PCVE focuses on preventive, inclusive, and community-driven strategies designed to address the underlying conditions that allow extremism to take root.
To operationalize this framework, Basirka issued targeted calls to action across Jigawa’s societal pillars:
For Traditional & Religious Leaders: Intensify efforts as moral authorities to promote peace, tolerance, and social cohesion, directly countering extremist ideologies that distort faith and tradition.
For Youth & Women Groups: Take the lead in resilience-building initiatives. Youth should be architects of positive counter-narratives online and offline, while women, often the first to sense radicalization within families, are crucial early warning systems and agents of de-radicalization.
For Government Agencies (MDAs & LGAs): Mainstream PCVE strategies into policies, plans, and budgets. This means education programs that teach critical thinking, economic projects that target marginalized areas, and social services that build trust in the state.
For Security Agencies: Deepen community engagement while steadfastly upholding human rights and the rule of law. Communities are more likely to share intelligence with forces they trust and perceive as legitimate protectors, not occupiers.
For the State Government: Sustain leadership in coordinating the multi-sectoral PCVE efforts, ensuring all actors are aligned and resources are effectively deployed.
Reaffirming PAVE’s commitment, Basirka concluded that peace and resilience are collective responsibilities. “Collaborative action is not optional; it is the key to protecting our communities and securing a peaceful future for Jigawa State and the entire North-West region,” he asserted.
This report underscores a pivotal shift in security thinking—from reactive containment to proactive, holistic prevention. The stability of Jigawa may well depend on how effectively this unified call is heeded. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru
