The Katsina State Government has teamed up with the Directorate for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), to address violent extremism in Katsina and the broader Northern Nigeria region.

Ambassador Mairo Musa Abbas, Director of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Directorate at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, shared details of the partnership during a courtesy visit by an NSA delegation to Katsina. The delegation met with the Katsina State Governor, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS).

The initiative aims to launch advocacy campaigns against violent extremism, targeting at least 30,000 beneficiaries who will receive mentorship and training in entrepreneurship.

Abbas extended the NSA’s appreciation for the warm reception and support from the Katsina State Government. She emphasized the Office of the National Security Adviser’s commitment to funding and implementing projects designed to combat violent extremism in Northwest Nigeria. These projects are supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and executed by organizations including Action Aid (in Kano and Kaduna), North East Youth Initiative for Development (NEYIF in Sokoto), and Women Environmental Programme (WEP in Katsina).

Abbas highlighted the importance of government support in scaling up these initiatives for sustainability. She also commended the Katsina State Community Watch Corps for significantly improving civilian protection and state security.

In response, Secretary to the Government Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari assured the delegation of the state’s readiness to support preventive measures to enhance peace and security. Faskari expressed the state government’s willingness to collaborate with women’s groups, civil society organizations, and other peace and security components to reduce security threats and ensure stability.

Katsina State, along with other Northwest regions, has been facing increased activities from violent extremist groups. The state is also dealing with a high Poverty Index of approximately 72.7% of its population.

This partnership marks a significant step in addressing the complex challenges of violent extremism and socio-economic issues in the region.