Insecurity: Nigeria, UNDP, Japan Unite Against Violent Extremism

The federal government of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a national policy funded by the Japanese government to tackle violent extremism, piracy in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea as well as protect civilians in armed conflicts.

The minister of state, budget and national planning, Clem Agba, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Olulade, said the federal government ‘s policies and investment in the Nigerian Armed Forces counter terrorism and the international community’s efforts have gone a long way in combatting the menace.

He, however, said there was need to intensify efforts to achieve more results there.

Agba said it is “our urgent desire to sharpen the capacities of the security agencies on counter-terrorism and protection of civilians for more effective response and reduction in civilian casualties.”

“The importance of the project being lunched today is aimed at building capacities of civilians, tactics and strategies to combat extreme terrorism and these will go a long way to save lives, of funds & pl avert injuries, improves life expectancy and security and will contribute immensely to Nigeria’s long-term goals on humanitarian sector as enshrined in the National Development Plan 2021 – 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

He promised the ministry’s commitment to collaborate with the relevant agencies to achieve the objective of the project in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the team lead, Governance, Peace and Security, UNDP, Mr Matthew Alao, said the overall objective of the project is to improve national capacities of ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea (GOG) countries’ efforts to decrease the influence and activities of violent extremists and pirates, as well as to improve protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

He said the project became imperative given the challenges posed by the menace of violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as piracy in Gulf of Guinea countries to the economic prosperity and socio-economic wellbeing of the governments and the citizens of the affected countries.

“UNDP and the government of Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (MFBNP), MLAILPKC and the Nigerian Navy formulated this project to build and strengthen the capacities of key stakeholders in the targeted regions to curtail the negative impacts of violent extremism and piracy. The project equally seeks to ensure that the civilians caught up in armed conflict are secured and protected,” he said.

He noted, that the government of Japan has funded 15 projects in Nigeria since 2015 with “over $27.58 million, the biggest funding in Africa.”

The Japanese defence attache Lt Col Uchiumi said the government of Japan with Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) and the UNDP, had been implementing projects related to counter-piracy.

He said available data has also shown that the security of the Gulf of Guinea has been greatly enhanced by not only this project but also by the tremendous efforts of the Nigerian government, the Nigerian military, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, national governments, and other related agencies.

He pledged that the Japanese government will continue to contribute to the security of the Gulf of Guinea, including the provision of high- speed patrol boats to NIMASA.

The commandant of MLAILPK, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, said violent extremism was one of the drivers of violence in the society.

He said the project would promote the protection of civilians caught in violent environments while trying to reduce violence.