Maureen Okpe
At a townhall meeting set at addressing the rising insecurity and violent extremism in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), by the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Network, stakeholders from civil society, security institutions, and the local community called for urgent, unified action to stem the tide of growing criminal activities across area councils.
Speaking at the forum with young person from the six area councils of Abuja, Dr. Beji Gowal, a researcher at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, described Abuja’s current security landscape as a growing concern.
He explained that land grabbing, kidnapping, youth criminality, and violent extremism were no longer distant issues but daily realities in the FCT.
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He emphasized that youth unemployment, poverty, bad governance, and social exclusion continue to serve as “push factors” that make young people vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremist groups.
Dr. Gowal further explained that beyond the push factors, many young people are lured by “pull factors” such as financial incentives and promises of power or belonging, often exploited by charismatic leaders with extremist ideologies.
He warned that many of these leaders now spread radical messages online, particularly through platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp, slowly poisoning social cohesion with religious and ethnic division.
He noted that violent extremism is a national problem, not a regional one, pointing to groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, IPOB, and various bandit and militant groups that have taken root across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He explained that the Federal Government responded by adopting the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), which emphasizes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to address the issue holistically.
In the same vein, Comrade John Awoyi President of the Bwari Area Council and Coordinator of the Original Inhabitants of the FCT, lamented the deteriorating security situation in the Council.
He cited its porous borders with Niger, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States as a major vulnerability and highlighted how the influx of strangers into the community has led to a spike in crimes such as rape, kidnapping, and land-related conflicts.
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He acknowledged recent interventions by the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who equipped local security operatives, including vigilantes, hunters, and the army, with motorcycles, vehicles, and weapons to improve security.
“These efforts have brought a level of calm to the council, but more work remains to be done, especially in community policing and infrastructure development.”
Comrade Awoyi also raised alarms about the infiltration of criminal elements disguised as informal workers such as scavengers (babanbola) street hawkers, and artisans.
He said many of them act as informants for criminal gangs, observing communities during the day and leading attacks at night. He called for the recruitment of more police officers and improved intelligence gathering at the grassroots.
He lamented the erosion of communal vigilance due to religious and ethnic sentiments, accusing community members of shielding criminals who share their faith or ethnicity. “Our leaders have used religion to divide us. They cover up crimes by saying the offender is a brother in faith,” he said, calling for renewed interfaith collaboration and neutral community policing to restore trust.
The executive lead, Women Engaged for Development Nguvase Dzungwe, added that the townhall was a timely initiative, noting that insecurity in the FCT is like a crouching lion ready to strike.
She said the engagement of young people through platforms like YAVE (Youth Against Violent Extremism) is critical in building community resilience and promoting sustainable peace.