The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), will commence the de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of ex-terrorists in the Northwestern States, after the Initiative’s apparent success in the Northeast.
Amb. Mairo Abbas-Musa, the Director of the Directorate of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in NCTC, who disclosed plan at the Executive Policy and Peer Learning Roundtable held on Thursday – yesterday, February 27 – in Sokoto, the Sokoto State ca[ital, explained that the Federal Government is implementing various aspects of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) programmes and initiatives..
Organised by International Alert, an NGO, and supported by UK International Development and Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiN), the two-day review meeting focused on Natural Resource Management and Pathways Out of Violence and Criminality.
The NCTC is fully committed to building inclusive advocacy coalitions for sustainable natural resource management and pathways out of violence, Abbas-Musa assured, explaining that the centre plays a key role in promoting strategic coordination and oversight on the implementation of various security-related policy documents, programmes, and initiatives.
“ONSA adopts a government and society approach in coordinating the efforts of various stakeholders,” she said.
“At the strategic level, NCTC coordinates the implementation of initiatives that provide exit pathways for terrorists and violent extremists, encouraging defection and surrender.”
According to her, the outcomes of these initiatives feed into activities at the camp located in Malam Sidi, Gombe State, after due screening and categorisation.
She disclosed that those categorised as high risk are usually subjected to the criminal justice process, stressing that NCTC has been at the forefront of coordinating nationwide efforts, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based, strategic, and aligned with national security objectives.
Abbas-Musa noted that the success of these programmes is due to the adoption of recommendations from stakeholder engagements, in collaboration with partners such as International Alert.
In his address, Dr Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, Country Director of International Alert, said the event focused on pathways to exit violence and criminality and contributing to policy processes at all levels as well, pointing out that the central aim is to convene diverse stakeholders to foster dialogue, share best practices and explore collaborative advocacy efforts for sustainable peace.
“The interplay between natural resource management and conflict remains a significant concern in Nigeria, particularly in the Northwest.
“Effective management of natural resource-induced conflict requires sustainable practices, effective leadership, and robust institutions to facilitate justice provisioning,” Nyulaku-Bemshima stated.
He emphasised the importance of restorative justice, truth, and reconciliation processes.
He added that one of the key objectives of the gathering was to enhance peer learning among participants to develop workable models for broader application.
“We expect to share lessons on establishing peace agencies and multi-door courthouses to provide alternative dispute resolution practices, access to justice, and create pathways for reconciliation initiatives,” he said.
Nyulaku-Bemshima highlighted that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms provides an efficient way to settle disputes without going to court.
“It makes settlement faster, less expensive, and more confidential than traditional court proceedings,”he said.
Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Lead of SPRiNG, described the training as an important opportunity for key project stakeholders.
He said that groups consisting of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional and religious leaders were able to learn and engage in productive sessions that would boost collective efforts toward safer and more resilient communities.
Ukiwo emphasised the need for sustained efforts to strengthen institutional processes in Nigeria through effective coordination, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge-driven decision-making.
He urged the government to continue reinforcing partnerships and strengthening capacities with relevant stakeholders to ensure a safe, peaceful, and resilient nation.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Mrs Deborah Aber, and participants from Katsina, Zamfara, Benue, and some southern parts of Nigeria.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), will commence the de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of ex-terrorists in the Northwestern States, after the Initiative’s apparent success in the Northeast.
Amb. Mairo Abbas-Musa, the Director of the Directorate of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in NCTC, who disclosed plan at the Executive Policy and Peer Learning Roundtable held on Thursday – yesterday, February 27 – in Sokoto, the Sokoto State ca[ital, explained that the Federal Government is implementing various aspects of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) programmes and initiatives..
Organised by International Alert, an NGO, and supported by UK International Development and Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiN), the two-day review meeting focused on Natural Resource Management and Pathways Out of Violence and Criminality.
The NCTC is fully committed to building inclusive advocacy coalitions for sustainable natural resource management and pathways out of violence, Abbas-Musa assured, explaining that the centre plays a key role in promoting strategic coordination and oversight on the implementation of various security-related policy documents, programmes, and initiatives.
“ONSA adopts a government and society approach in coordinating the efforts of various stakeholders,” she said.
“At the strategic level, NCTC coordinates the implementation of initiatives that provide exit pathways for terrorists and violent extremists, encouraging defection and surrender.”
According to her, the outcomes of these initiatives feed into activities at the camp located in Malam Sidi, Gombe State, after due screening and categorisation.
She disclosed that those categorised as high risk are usually subjected to the criminal justice process, stressing that NCTC has been at the forefront of coordinating nationwide efforts, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based, strategic, and aligned with national security objectives.
Abbas-Musa noted that the success of these programmes is due to the adoption of recommendations from stakeholder engagements, in collaboration with partners such as International Alert.
In his address, Dr Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, Country Director of International Alert, said the event focused on pathways to exit violence and criminality and contributing to policy processes at all levels as well, pointing out that the central aim is to convene diverse stakeholders to foster dialogue, share best practices and explore collaborative advocacy efforts for sustainable peace.
“The interplay between natural resource management and conflict remains a significant concern in Nigeria, particularly in the Northwest.
“Effective management of natural resource-induced conflict requires sustainable practices, effective leadership, and robust institutions to facilitate justice provisioning,” Nyulaku-Bemshima stated.
He emphasised the importance of restorative justice, truth, and reconciliation processes.
He added that one of the key objectives of the gathering was to enhance peer learning among participants to develop workable models for broader application.
“We expect to share lessons on establishing peace agencies and multi-door courthouses to provide alternative dispute resolution practices, access to justice, and create pathways for reconciliation initiatives,” he said.
Nyulaku-Bemshima highlighted that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms provides an efficient way to settle disputes without going to court.
“It makes settlement faster, less expensive, and more confidential than traditional court proceedings,”he said.
Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Lead of SPRiNG, described the training as an important opportunity for key project stakeholders.
He said that groups consisting of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional and religious leaders were able to learn and engage in productive sessions that would boost collective efforts toward safer and more resilient communities.
Ukiwo emphasised the need for sustained efforts to strengthen institutional processes in Nigeria through effective coordination, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge-driven decision-making.
He urged the government to continue reinforcing partnerships and strengthening capacities with relevant stakeholders to ensure a safe, peaceful, and resilient nation.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Mrs Deborah Aber, and participants from Katsina, Zamfara, Benue, and some southern parts of Nigeria.
