The Office of the National Security Adviser on Friday in Abuja unveiled a programme called: “Countering Violent Extremism: Nigeria’s De-Radicalisation.”
The programme is aimed at creating awareness on the threat of violent extremism.
The National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, said this in an interactive session with newsmen and other stakeholders organised by the ONSA.
Dasuki was represented by Dr. Fatima Akilu, the Director of Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communications in the ONSA.
Dasuki said the unveiling of the programme was to familiarise the public with the efforts of government on counter-terrorism, especially the soft approaches that were hitherto unknown.
He listed the components of the programme to include counter-radicalisation, de-radicalisation programme and strategic communication.
The NSA said the programme would also identify and strengthen credible voices in communities; collate data of religious figures, sects and places of worship; as well as capture the kind of teachings/preaching in schools and worship centres.
He also said the facility would identify and strengthen channels of distribution of counter-terrorism initiatives, including inter and intra-faith.
According to him, the programme will also identify and start up small business in flash point states and work with law enforcement agencies to increase the reach of community policing.
Dasuki said the programme would also engage the security forces in community building initiatives by involving the civil military department of the Nigerian Army.
He said: “The programme has two main approaches: Vertical and Horizontal.
“The Vertical approach involves the three tiers of government: federal, state and local governments.
“At the Federal level, policy and strategy will be shaped to drive and institutionalise the countering violent extremism strategies to flow down to states and local governments.
“This will be with an appreciation of peculiarities within the states and local governments.
“The Horizontal approach involves Non-Governmental Organisations, both national and local, faith-based organisations, traditional institutions, academic institutions/think-tanks, teachers and labour unions, political parties and key influential stakeholders.
“The horizontal approach is community-based and seeks to build the capacities of relevant stakeholders to contribute in countering violent extremism and building resilience,” he said.
The NSA said the last component, strategic communication, would prioritise key messages such as Terrorism is un-Islamic; Counter-terrorism is not against Muslims and Encouraging and Empowering Muslims to speak up against terrorism.
Dasuki added: “The CVE is a silent war-fighting tool, which would be effective in ensuring that the backend of the war on the insurgents is stabilised.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Prisons Service, Dr. Peter Ezenwa, and representatives of development partners attended the event.
NAN.