Campaign launch and objectives

The Partnership Against Violent Extremism Network (PAVE Network) has launched a 30-Day National Civic Advocacy Initiative to mobilise Nigerians, civil society organisations, labour unions, professional bodies, youth groups, women groups, media actors, community leaders and policymakers around urgent action to protect lives, end abductions, strengthen community resilience and stop the politicisation of insecurity.

The campaign runs from 1-30 July 2026 under the theme, “Protect Nigerian Lives: End Abductions, Strengthen Communities and Stop the Politicisation of Insecurity.” Its slogan is, “Nigerian Lives Must Come First.”

PAVE Network said the initiative is a response to what it described as a grave insecurity crisis in Nigeria, marked by abductions, killings, attacks on schools and communities, violent extremism, banditry, organised criminality, threats to livelihoods and the weakening of community resilience.

The organisation said the scale of the challenge requires a broader public response that goes beyond expressions of concern.

Concerns over insecurity and governance response

Speaking on the campaign, PAVE Network said the current crisis requires more than condemnation and called for organised civic action, responsible governance, accountable security reforms, protection of vulnerable communities, strengthened local government systems and sustained public engagement.

The network said its advocacy is intended to rally key sectors of society around practical engagement on insecurity and citizen protection. It identified civil society groups, labour unions, professional bodies, youth and women groups, media actors, community leaders and policymakers as core stakeholders in the effort.

According to the organisation, local government autonomy is central to community resilience because councils are closest to the people and must be empowered to support early warning, local peacebuilding, service delivery, community safety and grassroots development.

The campaign is being driven by the PAVE National Secretariat, State Chapters, Youth Against Violent Extremism, Women Against Violent Extremism and Media Against Violent Extremism.

State police safeguards and civic engagement

PAVE Network said the campaign will include a national petition, civil society and labour endorsements, media engagement, national and state-level town halls, state chapter activities, youth and women mobilisation, responsible media advocacy, and engagement with State Houses of Assembly on the constitutional amendment process relating to state police.

The group said 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 also called for PCVE safeguards, independent oversight, accountability mechanisms, professional training, community trust-building and protection of vulnerable groups as part of any state policing framework.

Nigerian Lives Must Come First.

— PAVE Network, Campaign Slogan, PAVE Network

Call for participation and contact details

PAVE Network called on citizens, organisations, unions, professional bodies, youth groups, women groups, faith-based actors, traditional institutions, community leaders and media organisations to support the campaign.

It asked supporters to sign the petition, endorse the call to action, participate in state and national engagements, and amplify the campaign message across their platforms and communities.

For media enquiries, the organisation listed its contact as PAVE Network, email: info@pavenetwork.org, phone: +234 813 314 0594, and website: https://pavenetwork.org/.

The statement was signed by Jaye Gaskia, Chair, Steering Committee, PAVE Network.