Bukola Afeni
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-NIGERIA) said Community sensitisation on Early Warning signals and socio-economic empowerment will alleviate poverty and aid in detecting and preventing violent extremism.
The organization disclosed this at the end of a 2-day sensitisation for community networks and security agencies on early detection, reporting, prevention and proactive response to violent extremism as well as the utilisation of early warning/early response systems.
The Workshop aims at bringing together state and non-state actors to improve collaboration, communication, coordination, intelligence gathering on early signals and proactive response to violent extremism in the North East through Early Warning/Early Response systems.
The Executive Director, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said building synergy among community and response institutions will create mutual respect and understanding in intelligence gathering on threat signals and facilitate timely/coordinated response.
“Proactive action formulation, data collection, analysis and reporting on observed threat signals to facilitate coordinated and timely response.
“Establishing community reporting mechanism through well-informed and designated Community Observers to identify and report threat signals for timely response.
“Adequate investment in Research and Development into Early Warning system with enhanced capacity in Monitoring and Evaluation to understand emerging threat signals and devise proactive response.
“Challenging radicalisation ideology through targeted counter-terrorism narratives to prevent violent extremism.
“Providing psycho-social support taking cognisance of at-risk population to prevent infiltration of radicalisation ideology.”
The participants further recommended adequate deployment of manpower and early detection technology to facilitate efficient and timely response to threat signals.
“Detecting violent extremism tendency through a thorough surveillance and reporting of a rhetoric of supremacy of one people/class over others; persistent use of hate-speech, derogatory/degrading statement; systematic discrimination, human rights violation and abuse, Gender-Based Violence is necessary “.
” Building sense of ownership, inclusion and responsibility in traditional institutions through dedicated provisions in the Constitution.
” De-radicalising violent extremists through inclusive dialogue and sensitisation at community levels, respect to human rights and the rule of law, resilience building.
The group noted that preventing violent-extremism through the promotion of rule of law and human rights; intensified fight against corruption; participatory decision-making; respected civic space at all levels; provision of effective socio-economic alternatives to violence for groups at risk.
“Timely reporting of suspicious activities of violent extremists through the established Community Security Architecture, Nigeria Police Complaint Response Unit (NPF-CRU), Intelligence and Investigation Unit of the NSCDC, established EWER Situation Room and dedicated Counter Terrorism Reporting website.”
