The Gombe State branch of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism has called for strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Correctional Service to promote rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for ex-offenders in the state.
This was made known during an advocacy visit by the civil society network to the State Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service, held at the Correctional Service headquarters in Gombe, on Wednesday.
Speaking during the visit, the state coordinator of PAVE, Albarka Haruna, stressed the crucial role of rehabilitation in preventing radicalisation and violent extremism.
“Rehabilitation and reintegration are not just criminal justice concerns — they are core to preventing future radicalisation.
“We believe that with skills, training and psychosocial support, ex-offenders can be empowered to return to society as productive and peaceful citizens,” he said.
PAVE, registered as an Incorporated Trustee with the Corporate Affairs Commission since 2018, has been actively coordinating civil society organisations involved in preventing and countering violent extremism across Nigeria.
The network was originally initiated in 2014 through the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser and international partners such as the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism.
In Gombe State, five core non-governmental organisations have been selected by PAVE to implement its programmes; Women Peace and Mediation Network, Advocate for Development and Sustainability, Lawanti Community Development Foundation, MAFAKA Sustainable Development Initiative, and Concerned Minds for Health and Community Initiative.
During the advocacy visit, Haruna highlighted the need for structured rehabilitation to prevent recidivism and radicalisation, the importance of vocational and psychosocial support for inmates and ex-offenders, and the role of civil society partnerships in successful reintegration.
“We respectfully seek the support of the state controller to facilitate stronger collaboration between the Correctional Service and our network.
“Gombe can become a model for coordinated and effective approaches to countering violent extremism,” he said.
Haruna expressed appreciation to the Correctional Service for its openness to engagement and reiterated PAVE’s commitment to working with stakeholders to enhance security and social cohesion across the state.
“We thank you for your time, understanding, and consideration.
“We look forward to working closely with your esteemed office to build a safer, more inclusive Gombe,” he said.
The State Controller of Corrections, Salihu Abdullahi lauded the group for its desire for partnership, stressing that the Correctional Service was committed to working with PAVE to achieve results.
He said, “We thank God for the peace in Gombe. The Nigeria Correctional Service is open to working with your group to maintain the peace.”
On the importance of skills acquisition for inmates, Abdullahi said, “It’s part of our training, we don’t have the mandate to go and manage extremists, but it’s our core job to rehabilitate them and we do this through religious instructions. Our doors are open for any programme you may wish to invite us.”
Punch.
