by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Rabiu Muhammad, has assured that the command will provide support in the 23 LGAs for “Preventing and Countering Violence Extremism (PAVE), a multi-stakeholder platform working to prevent and counter violent extremism through coordinated advocacy, awareness-raising, and community engagement.
advocacy visit in Kaduna
He said the command will ensure that all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the 23 LGAs of the State provide support and collaborate fully with the platform in all its community-level engagements, especially those aimed at peace-building and early warning or response.
The CP made the commitment during advocacy visit on the command by the leadership of the Kaduna State chapter of PAVE, led by its State chairman, Eric John, at the State Police Headquarters Friday evening.
The commissioner, while commending the tireless efforts in engaging multiple stakeholders towards a common vision of a safer and more peaceful Kaduna state, added that, PAVE approach aligned well with their community policing philosophy, which emphasized proactive engagement and collaboration.
He said, “The Police Command under my leadership fully recognizes the value of grassroots partnerships in addressing security threats.
“In light of this, I will ensure that all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State provide you with the support and collaborate fully with Preventing and Countering Violence Extremism (PAVE) in all community-level engagements, especially those aimed at Peace-building and early warning/response,” he stated.
The CP, however, stated that “As we tackle violent extremism, I want to call on PAVE to also intensify awareness and advocacy on critical underlying issues that fuel insecurity in our communities.”
Some of the underlying issues highlighted by CP include drug abuse, particularly among the youths, religious intolerance, which continued to threaten peaceful coexistence.
Other factors listed include youth restiveness, which is often exploited by criminal and extremist elements, adding that “These challenges required deliberate, sustained engagement. And I believe PAVE is well-positioned to lead advocacy that addresses them head-on.”
While he sincerely thanked the entire leadership of the PAVE for the timely and important visit, the CP also appreciated the body for their commitment to their shared mission, saying, the State Command remains open and ready to partner with them for a safer and more resilient society.
Earlier in a speech, PAVE’s Chairman, Eric John, expressed the organization’s profound appreciation to the State Police Command for nominating one of their officers to participate in the recently PAVE Community of Practice forum, and for the remarkable strides made under CP leadership in promoting peace, protecting lives and property, and ensuring stability across the state.
The chairman noted that the Command’s proactive policing approach, commitment to intelligence-driven operations, and collaboration with community structures continue to strengthen public confidence in security institutions.
“Today, we are here to introduce PAVE, a multi-stakeholder platform working to prevent and counter violent extremism through coordinated advocacy, awareness-raising, and community engagement.
“We believe that lasting peace is only possible when security actors, civil society, traditional and religious institutions, and the media work together to address the root causes of violence and radicalization.
“Our mission aligns closely with yours: to protect lives and secure the future. But we also recognize that this cannot be done by the police alone. We are, therefore, calling on the Kaduna State Police Command to deepen collaboration with civil society and community groups in building community resilience,” PAVE Chairman stated.
He also called on police to support the integration of PAVE into local policing strategies, and continue to champion community policing models that give a voice to local stakeholders, “and a dedicated liaison officer, which we can always work with.”
PAVE stated that, together, they can prevent the seeds of hate from taking root, and build a Kaduna where safety, inclusion, and unity thrive, promising that they will continue to work hand-in-hand for peace and security in the state.