As part of broader efforts to address ideological terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has inaugurated a youth-led group designed to counter violent extremist ideologies through non-kinetic means.
Speaking at a one-day multi-sector conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, General Musa urged students, youth groups, and the general public to leverage social media as a tool to combat narratives that promote terrorism and criminality, warning that such ideologies threaten the unity and survival of the nation.
The event built on earlier initiatives under the “Students Against Violent Extremism” (SAVE 1 & 2) projects, which were designed to engage secondary school and university students in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
This year’s conference, themed “Countering extremist ideology, insurgency and terrorism in the northeast,” marked the formal launch of the SAVE student group and the unveiling of a new book authored by the CDS titled “Taking A Stand Against Insurgency and Terrorism Among Others.”
General Musa praised the contributions of key stakeholders in counter-insurgency efforts in the region but stressed the need to involve young people early in ideological resistance. He called on the youth to serve as non-combatant soldiers, contributing through intelligence sharing and digital advocacy in support of Nigeria’s armed forces.
In her remarks, conference convener Ummukaltum Mohammed highlighted the multifaceted nature of terrorism and the critical importance of community-led approaches to counter extremist narratives. She emphasised the ongoing relevance of the SAVE initiative in dismantling Boko Haram’s ideological strongholds.
The CDS also paid a morale-boosting visit to wounded soldiers at the Maimalari Military Hospital, where a philanthropist pledged housing support for the injured troops.
Students and youth representatives from Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States were formally inducted into the SAVE teams and encouraged to act as ambassadors of peace across the region.
What you should know
General Christopher Musa has launched a student-led anti-extremism initiative across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. The SAVE teams aim to use social media and peer engagement to challenge terrorist ideologies and support non-violent approaches in the fight against insurgency.
