The National Orientation Agency (NOA) organised a high-level capacity-building workshop against violent extremism for community stakeholders in Kebbi South senatorial district.

The workshop is part of Garba Maidoki’s constituency outreach initiatives. The intensive training drew 100 participants from across the eight local government areas of the constituency and was held in Zuru.

Presiding over the training on behalf of the National Headquarters of the NOA, the zonal director, Hamisu Meyere, who delivered the opening remarks, told the participants that the purpose of the training was to alert communities to the strategies and dangers of extremism.

Mr Meyere explained the agency’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sensitisation and underscored that combating insecurity requires proactive community engagement, moral reorientation and a united front against all forms of criminality.

During the training, two distinguished scholars and religious leaders, Abdulkareem Lawal of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, represented by Lawal Garba Sheikh, and Ayuba Kanta, Bishop of the Zuru Missionary Diocese of the Anglican Communion, enlightened participants on the consequences of extremism.

Speaking on Northern Nigeria’s security realities, Islamic foundations, and moral frameworks, Mr Lawal emphasised that Islam provides a comprehensive moral, spiritual, legal, and social framework for confronting insecurity.

He noted that the Qur’an established the absolute sanctity of human life, explicitly condemned aggression and corruption, commanded justice, and required believers to cooperate in righteousness.

Citing Surah Al-Ma’idah, Verse 32, the cleric said, “Whoever kills a soul unjustly will be viewed as having killed all of mankind, while saving a life is tantamount to saving all of humanity.”

Mr Lawal explained that the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad established ironclad principles for safeguarding security, protecting private property, fulfilling trusts, exercising strict restraint in the use of force, and upholding collective responsibility.

He warned that wanton destruction, banditry and the dispossession of others under the guise of protecting Islam were entirely un-Islamic and represent a dangerous misinterpretation of sacred texts.

Speaking on Christian perspectives and multi-dimensional peacebuilding on interfaith consensus, Mr Kanta stated, “Violent extremism does not begin with weapons; rather, it takes root through poisoned minds, wounded hearts, deep-seated grievances, intolerance, and the manipulation of religious or ethnic differences.”

Mr Kanta, also the state CAN chairman, highlighted that “true peace is multi-dimensional”, differentiating between “negative peace”, the mere absence of armed conflict, and “positive peace”, the eradication of root causes through justice, trust, dignity, and peaceful coexistence.

Citing Isaiah 2:4, the bishop reminded participants of the prophetic vision that “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more”.

(NAN)