By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling violent extremism through inclusive dialogue, strategic partnerships, and support for victims.

The National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said this on Monday at a policy dialogue and training on victims’ assistance and the prevention of violent extremism in Abuja.

The event was held in collaboration with Colombia’s Unit for the Attention and Integral Reparation of Victims, under the South-South Cooperation framework.

Laka said the dialogue was part of a technical mission to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to implement its National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).

According to him, while kinetic operations remain important, they are not sufficient, sustainable peace requires community-based approaches that focus on prevention, healing and resilience.

He said Nigeria’s strategy was anchored on a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, mobilising security, justice, education, health and traditional institutions to work collectively.

The NCTC boss highlighted Colombia’s long-standing peace building experience as a valuable resource, especially in post-conflict reintegration and victim rehabilitation.

He said that Nigeria was already making progress with the establishment of community peace committees and early warning systems to prevent human rights violations and build inclusive responses.

Laka encouraged stakeholders to share practical solutions and best practices that could enrich national policies and programmes, adding that victims’ dignity must remain at the centre of the national response.

“We appreciate Colombia’s solidarity and leadership, and we look forward to a deeper and sustained partnership,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Sebastián García, Head of Colombian delegation and Deputy Director, Colombia’s Agency for the Renewal of the Territory, commended Nigeria’s efforts in strengthening local peace mechanisms and community-based prevention systems.

García said that Colombia and Nigeria had deepened cooperation on peace building and victim support while seeking shared solutions to violent extremism through South-South collaboration.

“We are here not just to share, but to learn. Our countries may be oceans apart, but our struggles and our hopes are the same,” he said.

The Etsu of Kwali, Mr Luka Nizassan III, called for a stronger, budget-backed approach to preventing violent extremism in Nigeria, saying there was the need for national and state budgets to reflect human security priorities.

He said that prioritising prevention would help to save resources and enable development to thrive.

According to him, every budget line should be tied to reducing terrorism’s root causes, pledging commitment to grassroots peace building and multi-sectoral coordination.

The event underscored Nigeria’s ongoing shift from kinetic responses to holistic, preventive strategies in tackling violent extremism.

The event brought together government officials, civil society groups, and international partners to share experiences on victim rehabilitation and inclusive peace strategies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Sadiya Hamza