By Evelyn Usman

The Partnership Against Violent Extremism Network (PAVE) has launched a 30-day national civic advocacy campaign aimed at mobilising Nigerians to demand urgent action against insecurity, abductions and violent extremism, while advocating safeguards in the proposed establishment of state police.

The campaign, which commenced today, July 1, 2026, and will run until July 30, is themed “Protect Nigerian Lives: End Abductions, Strengthen Communities and Stop the Politicisation of Insecurity,” with the slogan, “Nigerian Lives Must Come First.”

In a statement signed by the Chairman of its Steering Committee, Jaye Gaskia, the network said the initiative seeks to rally citizens, civil society organisations, labour unions, professional bodies, youth and women groups, media practitioners, community leaders and policymakers to work collectively towards protecting lives and strengthening community resilience.

The network said: “Nigeria is facing a grave insecurity crisis marked by abductions, killings, attacks on schools and communities, violent extremism, banditry, organised criminality, threats to livelihoods and the weakening of community resilience.”

It added: “The current crisis requires more than condemnation. It requires organised civic action, responsible governance, accountable security reforms, protection of vulnerable communities, strengthened local government systems and sustained public engagement.”

According to the statement, the month-long campaign will feature a national petition, civil society and labour endorsements, media engagements, national and state-level town hall meetings, youth and women mobilisation, as well as engagements with State Houses of Assembly on the constitutional amendment process relating to state police.

On the proposed establishment of state police, PAVE stressed that adequate safeguards must be put in place to prevent abuse, noting that “any move towards state police must include clear safeguards to prevent abuse, politicisation, ethnic or religious profiling, human rights violations and misuse against citizens.”

It further called for “independent oversight, accountability mechanisms, professional training, community trust-building and protection of vulnerable groups” to ensure that the proposed policing structure serves the interests of all Nigerians.

The PAVE Chairman also underscored the importance of local government autonomy, saying councils closest to the people should be empowered to support early warning systems, peacebuilding initiatives, service delivery, community safety and grassroots development.

Calling on Nigerians to support the campaign, the network said: “We call on citizens, organisations, unions, professional bodies, youth groups, women groups, faith-based actors, traditional institutions, community leaders and media organisations to support the campaign by signing the petition, endorsing the call to action, participating in state and national engagements, and amplifying the message that Nigerian lives must come first.”