Zamfara PAVE Network Rises Concerns Over New Bandits Strategy Attacks

From Babangida Abdullahi Gusau

The Zamfara State PAVE Network decried over the deployment of new methods of attack which claimed lives and injured others.

The chairperson of the PAVE Network Aishatu Abdu Gusau disclosed this in a press conference held at Darma Luxury and Apartment behind King Fahad ibn AbdulAzeez Hospital Samaru Gusau.

Aisha Abdu Gusau said the current state of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) in the North Western States is highly needed looking at the passive insecurity.

“The North-West region has continued to experience complex security challenges involving extremist groups, banditry, and criminal violence. Aisha Abdu Gusau

The PAVE Chairperson said, Zamfara State, like many parts of the North-Western states continues to face complex security challenges driven largely by criminality, social and economic vulnerabilities, weak governance structures, community distrust, and use of IEDs and Gun powder on major roads targeting innocent travelers.

“These strategic attacks occurred in Anka and Dansadau within the last one month. The broader Nigerian risk landscape shows prolonged insecurity driven by proliferation of armed groups, increasing banditry and kidnapping, economic marginalization in rural areas, and Structural vulnerabilities in community safety and resilience. Abdul Gusau

The chairperson said, These threats underscore the need for comprehensive and inclusive preventive action that goes beyond military responses.

“We have conducted multi-stakeholder workshops aimed at building government and community technical capacity for PCVE. These include training of Technical Working Groups (TWGs) on SAP and LAP co-creation, Workshops involving MDAs, security agencies, traditional leaders, women and youth groups, and civil society actors.

Abdu Gusau said, These engagements have strengthened understanding of local drivers of extremism and laid the groundwork for inclusive prevention planning, Dialogue and Consultation Platforms across states.

“We have facilitated dialogues on PCVE co-creation, bringing communities and government actors together to co-design action plans tailored to local realities.

The chairperson further stated that, the forums have helped identify grassroots priorities, such as youth economic empowerment and early warning mechanisms.

Abdu Gusau further said, PAVE have participated in peer learning exchanges, sharing best practices and adapting successful strategies across the North-West.

These engagements have reinforced collaboration and reduced duplication of efforts apart from advocacy Visits which engaged the State Governments, Legislatures, and security leadership to secure political ownership and backing for PCVE policy implementation and resource allocation.

The state chairperson also said, they have rolled out 15-day community resilience campaigns in numerous communities, focusing on peace education, tolerance messaging, conflict awareness, And strengthening community networks that counter extremism narratives.