As the wave of insecurity continued to blow across the West African region, stakeholders have also remained resolute in their commitments to designing the best approach to bringing situations.

Beyond the conventional approach, the Nigerian military has been collaborating with other organizations and agencies to train personnel on alternative means of dousing violent extremism through a non-kinetic approach.

One of such approaches was the training of military and paramilitary officers from across West Africa. The two-week long capacity building was put together by Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) and the Japanese Government through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Countering Violent Extremism Course 5 of 2024, which spanned between October 26 and November 8 at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA) Lagos, followed a successful completion of Kaduna and Abuja editions.

Participants which were 32 in number were from across West African countries, including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Guinea Bissau, Togo and Liberia.

At the end of the training, they all attested to have learnt new and better approaches to tackling violent extremism in the region, and pledged to apply the strategies in ensuring security of lives and properties in their respective countries and communities.

Major Felix Adongo, a Ghanaian army, described the course as an eye-opener. He added that he learnt about drivers of violent extremism, which were basically conditions that make it fatal for the resistance forces to strive.

He also learnt about the role of various institutions in countering and addressing extreme violence.

“My most important take-home has to do with the fact that we ought to employ the use of non-kinetic measures to counter the extremist agenda rather than always subjecting ourselves to a kinetic means, which is always about gun battles.

“I think it is very important that we tackle this menace from this angle by tackling the root causes of this extremist ideas and agenda. It is also important to note that people who are fighting for ideological causes are very difficult to fight if they are being radicalized, therefore, the need for us to tackle the root causes of violence and extremism.”

Speaking on the positive implications of non-kinetic approach to tackling extreme violence, Adongo said: “You can agree with me that adopting kinetic means of fighting this menace often results in loss of civilian lives irrespective of the number of terrorist casualties. There are instances where the military forces are also losing their lives in the line of duty.

“But if we go by the non-kinetic means, which is more of a dialogue and peaceful approach to resolving this menace, it will do us good than wasting the rounds and wasting lives and properties in the fight against terrorism. So, I think it is the best approach for us to adopt.”

Lt. Col. Thomas Nimele of Liberian Armed Forces admitted that the course was instrumental to the efficient performance of his duty, considering that he was serving in the region where violent extremism was going on.

“So, this course actually broadened my knowledge and gave me insight into the drivers of violent extremism and my contribution towards countering it.”

Admitting that the problem was not limited to Africa but a global challenge, he said that addressing it required a holistic approach involving the government, civil society organizations as well as the media.

“Now, my responsibility is to also impact the knowledge into military personnel in my country, the civil society and other security apparatus. This will actually go a long way in helping us to address violent extremism, not only in a conventional way of using force but the non-kinetic approach. This involves using the media, civil society and other organizations to spread the message of countering extremism and violence”, Nimele said.

Another participant, a Nigerian and deputy director at the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Rhoda I. Sadus, said the training availed her the opportunity to understand that for a country to effectively counter violent extremism, other approaches beyond the use of guns must be explored.

“The reason is that violent extremism has to do with ideology and ideology is in the minds of the people. You cannot use a kinetic approach to counter violent extremism.”

Speaking on how the training will impact her duties henceforth, she said: “We work in the communities. We have offices in all the 774 local government areas of the country and the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). One of the things that we do is community engagement.

“We have a strategy. We want to see how we can counter radicalization that leads to extreme violence. You cannot do that with the use of force. You have to go into the fabric of society, which is the community.

“We have been engaging with the community people, trying to see how we can counter the process of radicalization. So, if we are able to achieve that, I think it will go a long way in helping us to counter violent extremism in our society.

“There is a lot of work to be done. It is not easy to change attitudes but when we keep doing it in a sustained manner, we will succeed one day.

“Last year, we engaged the local community media, educating the people on the process of radicalization because most of them get radicalized without knowing. The people will come in the guise of giving them some social support and in the process, indoctrinate them”, she said.

Before the ceremonial award of certificates to participants, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security Unit, United nation Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Alao, described violent extremism as a complex, multifaceted problem that required nuanced and adaptable solutions, and called for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to address the challenge, which he said, was taking its toll on humanity.

Tasking participants to use their acquired knowledge to tackle the menace of insecurity across the region, he also urged them to be optimistic even in the face of challenges, setbacks and moments of doubt.

Alao reiterated that the knowledge and skills acquired by the participants were not only academic achievements but the building blocks of resilient communities and sustainable peace.

“Your training equipped you to be the architects of this justice; to build bridges where others see only divides and to illuminate paths towards reconciliation in the darkest corners of conflict.

“Now, you stand ready to return to your respective countries, organizations and communities as agents of positive change”, Alao said.

He urged the participants to always remember that countering violent extremism was not all about security measures or law enforcement but also involved addressing root causes, fostering inclusive societies and offering hope in despair.

“Your role extends beyond tactical responses; you are now architects of resilient communities and advocates for social justice”, he added.

Alao further commended the Government of Japan, MLAILPKC, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and UNDP for their support which he said, was instrumental in shaping future leaders.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa in his remarks, stressed the need for collective efforts in eradicating violent extremism in the country and beyond.

Acknowledging the seamless collaboration between MLAILPKC and the Government of Japan, through UNDP, he said the strategic partnership has served as a beacon of international cooperation which should be sustained.

Worried that violent extremism has continued to threaten world peace, Mijinyawa beckons all stakeholders to unite in the effort to confront the challenge by addressing the root causes.

“These include support to education, community engagements and creating economic opportunities. The training will help to enhance capacity and equip potential peacekeepers with the requisite expertise to handle threats posed by violent extremism. It will also enable them to effectively perform their roles in a multidimensional peacekeeping mission,” he said.