By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network has warned that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) faces growing risks of radicalisation and violent extremism if preventive steps are not taken at the community level.
The warning came on Thursday during the inaugural meeting of the FCT Chapter of the network in Abuja.
The Chairman of PAVE’s National Steering Committee, Jaye Gaskiya, said Abuja must not be treated only as a seat of power but as a community vulnerable to the same conditions driving extremism across the country.
“The FCT is not just a target for violent extremist attacks or a place of refuge for displaced persons.
“It is also a space where the same grievances fuelling radicalisation in other parts of Nigeria are present,” he said.
Gaskiya explained that the influx of displaced victims and fleeing fighters into the capital, combined with existing hotspots for drugs, petty crime and idle youth gatherings, created “a dangerous mix” if not urgently addressed.
“We know there are hotspots for drugs, for crimes like one-chance, and for idle youth congregations across Abuja.
“When you add displaced persons and even extremist elements fleeing military operations, the risk of radicalisation is clear.
“Our aim is to prevent these hotspots from turning into breeding grounds for violent extremism,” he said.
He added that while the PAVE Network had engaged federal institutions at the national level, the re-inauguration of its FCT Chapter was to “reinvigorate interventions specific to the territory and its communities.”
Also speaking, the Media Coordinator of the network, Mr Senator Iroegbu, said preventing violent extremism required the involvement of every segment of society.
“Security is everyone’s business. The FCT is Nigeria’s capital, but beyond federal institutions, it has local people, communities and traditional structures.
“If we ignore them, we risk leaving spaces open for radicalisation,” he said.
Iroegbu noted that Abuja had become a melting pot for people fleeing insecurity in the North-East, North-Central and other regions, adding that extremist elements could also exploit the situation to build sleeper cells.
“That is why the FCT needs deliberate attention. We must bring traditional rulers, religious leaders, women groups, youth associations and the media into the prevention effort,” he said.
The PAVE Network is a coalition of civil society, media professionals and experts working on preventing and countering violent extremism across Nigeria. (NAN)