Jude Johnson
In a continued effort to shed light on and expose the tactics of terrorist groups amid the ongoing fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast, Neem Foundation, a member of the Truth Alliance, sponsored a radio talk show as part of the “Time to Tell the Truth” campaign in Maiduguri.
In a press statement issued on Monday by the Spokesperson of The Truth Alliance, Mr Ahmed Mustapha, the talk show, aired live this Saturday on Peace FM Radio Station (102.5 FM), marking the second instalment of the series, featuring discussions with guest speakers on how the community can participate in the peace-building process.
The week’s guest speakers, Garba Yusuf and Abdullahi Muhammad, both of whom serve as counsellors and researchers at the Neem Foundation, shared insights based on their community engagements and expertise. The discussions were hosted in Hausa by Muhammad Abubakar Askira.
Garba Yusuf highlighted the rise of insurgency, attributing it to parental negligence and unemployment. “During the advent of the menace, you will notice that some parents are showing neglect on their wards without asking where, what, and with whom they are mingling. Besides, the key factor that lures the people is unemployment,” Yusuf stressed. He pointed out that jobless individuals are more susceptible to being recruited into terrorism, as financial incentives can easily sway them. He also emphasised the importance of a good upbringing in preventing such involvement.
Abdullahi Muhammad focused on the targeted recruitment strategies of terrorist groups. “If you consider the tactics terrorist groups use to deceive people to join their ranks, about 60% or 70% of whom fall victim are young people, specifically those between 18 and 30 years of age,” he stated. Muhammad emphasized the critical role of youth in society and the need to engage those lacking focus to prevent their exploitation by insurgents.
Towards the end of the program, an interactive call-in session was featured, with listeners from as far as Fune LGA in Yobe State and Jigawa calling in to commend the discussion and share their perspectives on the topic.
Muhammad Buba from Fune, Yobe State, remarked, “Alhamdulillah, we have started getting peace in our region, and I call on all to participate in the process by supporting the military with information and other things that bring peace.”
Umar from Kwaram, Jigawa State, commended the program and urged the continuation of such initiatives in the region.
Mustapha stressed that The Truth Alliance remains committed to fostering community engagement and promoting peace and stability in the Northeast.
He stated: “The Truth Alliance is committed to unmasking the truth behind violent and extremist groups and empowering communities to resist tyranny and violence. Through education, outreach, and collaboration, the Truth Alliance strives to build a safer, more resilient society for all.
“In a campaign tagged ‘Time to Tell the Truth’, the Truth Alliance has come together to expose the truth behind how violent extremist groups draw young people into their ranks. Their message is simple: These groups manipulate, they deceive, they Control, they kill, they kidnap, they destroy, and their movement as well as ideology is inherently weak.”