1,500 suspected terrorists prosecuted in 4 years — NSA

The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno, rtd, has disclosed that the Federal Government has prosecuted over 1,500 suspected terrorists within four years, with 400 of them convicted

Monguno stated this, yesterday in Abuja, at the national conference on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism with Stakeholders and Partners, tagged Partnering For Safer and Resilient Communities, organised by ActionAid Nigeria

The NSA, represented by the Coordinator, Counter-Terrorism Centre (ONSA), Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa, said government’s overarching response has been holistic through wholesome approaches.

He said: “Since 2017 and with the efforts of this group, Nigeria has successfully prosecuted over 1,500 suspected terrorists with over 400 convictions. Recently, over 1,500 case files have been reviewed, leading to the release of some 900 persons, due to insufficient evidence, and preparation of 230 cases ready for prosecution.

“This shows our commitment to ensuring that our response to terrorism is not only effective, but also rule of law compliant. It is a necessity to ensure that the people have faith in the judicial system. As a nation, which has experienced the challenges in combating terrorism and other forms of extreme violence and their devastating effects, we have realised that kinetic approach alone cannot adequately eradicate the threat.”

He said government has also adopted the non-kinetic or soft approach by developing a Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).

He added that the document tagged “Partnering for Safer and Resilient Communities,” which provides the framework for programming and engagements on PCVE in Nigeria, recognises the integrated roles of government agencies with the larger society as critical by adopting a “Whole-of-Government” and a “Whole-of-Society approach.”

ActionAid Nigeria’s Ene Obi said: “We have successfully engaged 20,800 youths with 1,614 persons (youth-600 men, 505 women: 509 adult women) supported with valuable life skills and starter packs, which keep them productively occupied, reducing their vulnerability to violent extremist recruitments…”

Earlier in her address, the Country Director of Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), Sarah Le Meusurier, noted that GCERF has been funding Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism programming in Nigeria for six years and investing over $10m to support community in conflict to develop greater community agency to respond to challenge, and provide young people with a greater sense of purpose.

(The Guardian)