REPORT

OF THE NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON

RADICALIZATION, DERADICALIZATION AND
COUNTER-RADICALIZATION (RADEC)

THEME:
PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN NIGERIA

DATE: 26TH -27TH OF JULY, 2016

VENUE: SHERATON HOTEL AND TOWERS, ABUJA

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Executive Summary

Background

The views of Discussants and Participants

Recommendations

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Peace Building Development
Foundation (PBDF) organized a 2-day National Workshop on Radicalization, De-radicalization
& Counter-radicalization (RaDeC), held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja on the 26th
and 27th of July, 2016. The purpose of the workshop was to enhance public understanding of
the concept and nexus of radicalization, de-radicalization & counter-radicalization (RaDeC) in
Nigeria. The workshop was marked by robust discussion leading to the formulation the
formulation of some recommendations for actions to be taken by the government and other
participating stakeholders and civil society. These include suggestions for possible follow up
activities by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Institute for Peace and
Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Peace Building Development Foundation (PBDF) in the
northeast and other part of Nigeria. The stakeholders noted the need for increased synergies
among actors and the importance of responsibilities- sharing in programming to counter
violent extremism.

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The first days sessions focused on understanding the new paradigm of radicalization and
violent extremism and ways to prevent and counter violent extremism in Nigeria. The second
days sessions focused on challenges of profiling, conviction, countering digital pathways and
early warning to prevent RaDeC. The two day event brought together over 200 participants
from Defense, law enforcement, government institutions, civil society, academia and
intergovernmental organizations, development partners, non- governmental organizations
with expertise in security, terrorism, judiciary, communication, religion and education While
appreciating the fundamental work done by the ONSA, stakeholders noted the need for a
national action plan on RaDeC in Nigeria This report presents the key findings and
recommendations brought forward during the two day workshop.

BACKGROUND

Nigeria is experiencing profound and complex challenges, including the rise of radicalization
and violent extremism against a backdrop of identity-based conflicts, cultural and religious
tensions. Recent literature on radicalization, while closely associated with terrorism has to be
understood in a thorough and comprehensive manner. However, radicalization, deradicalization and counter-radicalization (RaDeC) must be understood in the context of more
fundamental, cultural and philosophical underpinnings that drive them. Not doing so could
prove detrimental when formulating and crafting policies to counter radicalization, both at
the planning, tactical and operational levels.

Every stakeholder brings a certain significant and unique contribution to the table. The armed
forces alone, often lack the mandate and even capacity to address factors feeding
radicalization and violent extremism such as the proliferation of the technological means of
radicalization; the evolution of social expectations and dynamics at the local level; the role of

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geopolitics in driving radicalization; and the increasing communications sophistication of

terrorist groups. Addressing the drivers of radicalization and violent extremism calls for a

renewed understanding of the typologies and drivers of radicalization and violent extremism
in Nigeria, understanding the local architecture and dynamics of radicalization and
recruitment, delegitimizing violent extremist narratives, the role of NGOs and other MDAs
in RaDeC, promoting research and learning for evidence -driven RaDeC action, RaDeC in
cyberspace and social media and the role of the youth, women in marginalized and
disenfranchised communities, education and inclusivity in the political process as well as
economic and social marginalization. Given this, there is also the need to understand the
theoretical and conceptual framework of radicalization, and the various underpinnings and
components of counter radicalization, including the societal structures of family, religion and
education(FRE).

In Nigeria, the issues of the family, religion and education (FRE) are hardly addressed by any
meaningful policies, yet the challenges that it pose to security and governance are enormous
and multi-dimensional. The casualties of weak FRE shield are represented by all kinds of
misfits in society, hooligans, miscreants, area boys, militants, religious extremist, human
traffickers and terrorists.

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In this regard the stakeholders at the National Workshop on Radicalization, DeRadicalization and Counter Radicalization (RaDeC):

Delivered state-of-the-art analysis, inspiring visions and innovative methods arising

from research in a wide range of disciplines. The workshop provided a platform to
address key issues and challenges of RaDeC with the aim of fostering peaceful and
inclusive societies for effectively countering violent extremism.

Increased understanding of the important role that the FRE can play in improving the
return to peace and tranquility in Northeast and other areas prone to violent
extremism in Nigeria. It proposed ways to integrate this knowledge in policy decisions
and through academic, religious and traditional institutions at state and national
levels.

Discussed practical strategies that can be articulated to counter the threat of

radicalization through people-centered and inclusive measures and avoid exclusionary
governance at local, state and national levels.

Emphasized broad-based inter-disciplinary and multi-actor approaches that support

access to resources and participatory decision-making of FRE as a way of improving
human security and the freedom of expression in an atmosphere that is consistent
with ethical norms and within the confines of the law.

Addressed specific roles actors and sectors of society, such as women and youth,
education and the media, play in promoting inclusive approaches to love, tolerance,
reconciliation and countering violent extremism.

Increased knowledge of the processes that can lead to RaDeC so as to respond to

current and future challenges of insecurity.

Addressed measures that can be taken to stop extremists from recruiting individuals
or groups to carry out terrorist acts.

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Addressed how religious and community leaders can engage at local, state and
national levels to reach people who might be vulnerable to radicalization and how
faith leaders can take the lead in unmasking and rejecting the misuse of religion as a
justification for violent extremism.

Examined measures that can increase the resilience of communities against

radicalization through joint action and responsibility sharing in a sustainable manner.

THE VIEWS OF DISCUSSANTS AND PARTICIPANTS

The cause of radicalization and extremism in Nigeria includes perceived political

exclusion and marginalization, youth unemployment, ethno-religious/political
sentiments, environmental and economic concerns.

The excesses of religion in Nigeria are tolerated because Nigeria deviated from its
constitutional status as a secular state and is best a semi- secular state. There should
be no special treatment for organized religion.

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Lack of socio-economic opportunities makes it easier to recruit youths into groups that
challenge the status quo. The aim being that the established system has failed and its
time for a radical rethink and change that can only be brought about through violence.

Underdevelopment, discrimination and poverty have made many people in Nigeria

feel marginalized and susceptible to radical and violent extremist ideology.

States with poor governance, violation of human rights, abuse of the rule of law and
corruption are more likely to face the problem of radicalization; these issues are used
by terrorist groups for recruitment.

Prolonged and unresolved conflicts have made people hardened and willing to
compromise. Young men and women living in this situation have become radicalized
and extreme as a result of the conflicts that have shaped their lives.

Radicalization in prisons is a major problem with Boko Haram extremists or terrorists

groups, even criminals creating a command, control, communication and recruitment
organization within the prison system.

Holding religious bodies to account by monitoring religious messages or setting up an

organization as a check to the activities of religious institutions.

It is critical to create a counter narrative online against radicalization in Nigeria which

can be in the form of online social trolling and engagements of radical group sites,
revealing accurate facts and figures distorted by terrorist groups or creating negative
caricature of the groups activities or images of the groups leadership to discredit the
groups that seeks to incite radical beliefs.

Terrorist and violent extremist narratives are various, pervasive and in constant
development. Likewise, counter-narratives need to be powerful, dynamic and
delivered with creative methods in order to have a greater reach and impact.

The term radical should not be painted with a wide brush as all bad, several countries
had radical leaders that changed their countries for the better

The greatest problem Nigeria has is poverty; there are no welfare schemes for the
individuals, no initiatives to help with unemployment after school.

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There is sharp discord between the two religions of Islam and Christianity, with its
members infiltrated by members that push negative ideologies and extremist views
to the detriment of the religions members.

What are the measures being put forward by the government and the ONSA to stem
the surge of youth violence across the country?

The sparse distribution of communities in the North East made it easy for ungoverned
spaces to emerge, which insurgents and bandits take advantage off. Government
ought to look into the issue of creating larger communities out of the small
communities that are sparsely distributed.

The dialogue and discussion held on RaDeC should be brought down to the state and
local level so that the views of those directly affected can influence the discussion on
counter radicalization.

Prison reform should be implemented to have a national prison policy and the
restructuring of prisons from punitive measures into rehabilitation centers.

Insurgents and radical groups cannot survive without finances, the source of finances
by groups bent on inciting terrorism such as Boko Haram should be cut and their
backers exposed and prosecuted.

The prison system and incarceration puts those who have gone through the system in
perpetual social prison as most legal forms ask of past criminal history that disqualifies
ex-convicts from important positions, jobs and activities.

The intelligence sector in Nigeria reports on information and follows up with

monitoring to ensure that the report is properly used.

The security of today is everymans business; it is a collective responsibility that means

citizens must be proactive for the security services to be successful. In Nigeria
community policing and informants should be encouraged at every level as an allinclusive approach to intelligence gathering and security.

There is a class issue and a perception issue concerning time spent in prison. The elite
go to prison and come out without any repercussions; the poor in society are relegated
to destitution as ex-convicts.
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On the question of the herdsmen violence, their seasonal attacks have been mapped
and the areas they attack known. But people ask if the information is available, how is
it that, the herdsmen have not been intercepted before they attack an area or is there
an unwillingness to intercept the herdsmen.

A robust judicial and law-enforcement response to ending impunity and ensuring the
rule of law at all levels in Nigeria

RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Preventing violent conflicts and building sustainable peace requires a holistic
approach that involves cooperation of all stakeholders: therefore, in Nigeria local,
state, national, governmental and non-governmental; faith-based organizations
should be brought together to work to combat radicalization by holding more state
wide RaDeC workshops.
2) Creating awareness on all issues that relate to RaDeC and violent extremism using
multi-media approaches particularly around youth platforms.

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3) The Nigerian government should shift attitudes, reframe and change perceptions; by
identifying and resolving long and protracted/overlooked conflicts, developmental
problems and governance gaps.
4) Nigeria should seek to learn from its security experts, intellectuals and humanitarian
actors to develop immediate, short, medium and long-term strategies that address
the root causes, drivers and motivations of violent extremism.
5) Areas identified as ungoverned spaces where terrorist and radical ideology thrive
should be brought under government influence by improving service delivery,
infrastructure and access to justice. Through community cooperative schemes and
policing the governments reach can be felt at the community level.
6) While in the digital ungoverned space the government should strike the right balance
between impeding on peoples freedoms online and regulating radical content. It can
do this by partnering with technology and digital communication developers both
local and foreign to monitor and regulate content using precise algorithms.
7) Nigeria should create a cyber agency within ONSA to gather intelligence and counter
the online narrative on radicalization. It is important that organizations engaged in
countering radicalization be better equipped and trained on how to shape their
message effectively, how to reach a greater audience and/or specific target audiences,
and how to develop new ways to reach out. Counter-narratives should be expressed
in a language and using imagery adapted to intended audiences, as well as
disseminated through traditional channels and/or social media, blogging, cartoons or
animations, as appropriate.
8) Improvement in the coordination and sharing of Intelligence by establishing joint
centers were every security service is represented.
9) Prison reform should be implemented to create national prison that restructures
prisons from solely punitive centers into both punitive and rehabilitation centers.

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10) The gap between the rulers and the rule has to be bridged by changing the style of
governance in Nigeria from one of wealth accumulation to of service.
11) Awareness and sensitization on information sharing has to be communicated to the
citizens who are afraid of the negative repercussions of sharing information.
12) Countering radicalization and violent extremism should focus on both prevention and
response activities and target interventions in six key areas:

Socio-economic development;

Rule of law and security;

Disarmament and reintegration;

Media and technology;

Community resilience and

Gender-specific initiatives.

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Peace Building Development
Foundation (PBDF) on behalf of the planning committee of the National Workshop on
Radicalization, Deradicalization and Counter-radicalization (RaDeC) express profound
appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the technical and
financial support towards the successful hosting of this workshop.

Prof Oshita O. Oshita

Kayode Bolaji

Director General, IPCR

Project Director (RaDeC)

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