The Jigawa State chapter of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network has urged residents to unite against violent extremism to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.

The call was made by the state chairman of PAVE, Misbahu Basirka, during a press conference on Wednesday in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.

Mr Basirka said the appeal was necessary to prevent the spillover effects of violent extremism from other parts of the country into Jigawa State.

He noted that the North-West region continued to face evolving and interconnected security threats, including violent extremism, banditry, organised criminal networks and cross-border security pressures.

According to him, although Jigawa State has remained relatively stable compared to neighbouring states, porous borders and regional dynamics mean that no state is immune to security spillovers.

Mr Basirka explained that assessments had shown such threats were driven by factors including the proliferation of armed non-state actors, banditry, kidnapping, youth unemployment, rural economic marginalisation and weak community resilience systems.

He stressed that those realities demonstrated that security responses alone were insufficient, adding that sustainable peace required preventive, inclusive and community-driven approaches, which formed the core mandate of the PCVE framework.

The PAVE chairman called on traditional and religious leaders to intensify efforts in promoting peace, tolerance and social cohesion across communities in the state.

He also urged youth and women’s groups to take the lead in resilience-building initiatives and in promoting positive counter-narratives against violent extremism.

Mr Basirka further called on ministries, departments and agencies, as well as local government authorities, to mainstream PCVE strategies into their policies, plans and budgets.

He appealed to security agencies to deepen community engagement while upholding human rights and the rule of law and urged the state government to sustain leadership in coordinating PCVE efforts.

Reaffirming the network’s commitment, he said peace and resilience were collective responsibilities, adding that collaborative action was key to protecting communities and securing a peaceful future for Jigawa State and the North-West region. 

(NAN)