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From Ola Muhammad, Birnin Kebbi
As part of the constituency outreach initiatives of Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has spearheaded a high-level capacity-building workshop targeting community stakeholders against violent extremism in the Kebbi South Senatorial District.
While presiding over the training on behalf of the National Headquarters of the NOA, the Zonal Director, Alhaji Hamisu Abubakar Meyere, who delivered the opening remarks,noted that the purpose of the training was to alert the communities about the strategies and danger of extremism.
Meyere explained that the agency’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sensitization and underscored that combating insecurity requires proactive community engagement, moral reorientation, and a united front against all forms of criminality.
He disclosed that the intensive training drew 100 participants from across the eight local government areas of the constituency.
During the training, two distinguished scholars and religious leaders: Prof. Abdulkareem Lawal of the Department of Islamic Studies Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, represented by Lawal Garba Sheik and the Rt. Rev’d Dr. Ayuba Kanta, Bishop of Zuru Missionary Diocese (Anglican Communion) and State CAN Chairman, enlightened the participants on the consequences of extremism.
Speaking on the Northern Nigeria’s security realities, Islamic foundations and Moral Frameworks, Prof. Abdulkareem Lawal emphasized that Islam provides a comprehensive moral, spiritual, legal, and social framework for confronting insecurity.
He noted that the Qur’an establishes the absolute sanctity of human life, explicitly condemns aggression and corruption, commands justice, and requires believers to cooperate in righteousness.
Citing Surah Al-Ma’idah, Verse 32, he revealed that whoever kills a soul unjustly would be viewed as having killed all of mankind, while saving a life was tantamount to saving all of humanity.
Lawal explained that the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) establishes 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 are entirely un-Islamic and represent a dangerous misinterpretation of sacred texts.
Lawal however suggested that,there should be
lawful security cooperation and information sharing, fostering transparent collaboration between communities and public authorities.
He added that extremism would be reduced drastically through active youth empowerment, supporting victims of violence, and maintaining accountable public institutions,intercommunal
Solidarity to resist external challenges to destroy their collective unity.
While speaking on the
Christian Perspectives and Multi-dimensional peace
building on this interfaith consensus, Rev’d.Ayuba Kanta observed that 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.
The Bishop 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).
Drawing from scripture, he reminded participants of the prophetic vision where “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4).
He appealed to the general public to realize that effective religious resilience requires far more than spiritual exhortation.
Kanta noted that It demands for credible leadership, religious literacy, eradicating extremist narratives through accurate theological education.
