The Federal Government has showcased Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at a Side Event hosted by the Global Solutions Exchange (GSX) during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly in New York last month.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator Counter Terrorism Centre, Commodore YEM Musa said President Muhammadu Buhari on 24 August, 2017 issued a Presidential Directive for full implementation of the Policy Framework and national Action Plan
The Coordinator explained that, “after five years of experimenting with several approaches to complement Nigeria’s national counter terrorism measures to deal with violent conflicts in Nigeria, address the underlying conditions that are conducive to the spread of terrorism and help communities recover from the consequences of violence, the country had emerged stronger in the face of violent extremism “ We now understand the threat better, our policy is backed by a clear evidence base, we are now more convinced that international cooperation works and that when Government work closely with Civil Society, we will always be closer to dismantling the web of Violent Extremism in our societies” he added.
Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism has four core objectives, which include, strengthening institutions and Coordination of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Programming; Strengthen accessible justice system, human rights and the Rule of law; Strengthening community engagement and building resilience; and institutionalizing and mainstreaming strategic communication into Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism programming.
The Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre commended the immense support received from the U.K. DFID, the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, the European Union, Government of the Netherlands, Government of Switzerland and several partners who shared experiences with Nigeria in developing the Policy Framework against violent extremism.