Amid growing concerns over insecurity, recurring abductions and attacks on communities across Nigeria, the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network has launched a nationwide civic advocacy campaign aimed at pushing for stronger protection of lives and more accountable security responses.
The initiative, unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, will run for 30 days under the theme “Protect Nigerian Lives: End Abductions, Strengthen Communities and Stop the Politicisation of Insecurity.”
According to the organisation, the campaign is designed to move public engagement beyond outrage and focus attention on practical actions capable of strengthening community resilience and improving security governance.
PAVE Network said Nigeria’s insecurity challenge continues to affect communities through abductions, violent extremism, organised criminality, attacks on schools and growing threats to livelihoods, warning that long-term solutions must involve both government action and active citizen participation.
As part of the campaign activities, the network plans to coordinate a national petition, media engagement, state and national town halls, youth and women mobilisation, and policy engagement with State Houses of Assembly on constitutional discussions around state police.
While acknowledging ongoing conversations around decentralised policing, the organisation stressed that any framework for state police must include safeguards against political interference, abuse of power, profiling and violations of human rights.
The network also argued that strengthening local government systems remains central to improving community security, noting that local institutions are often the first line of response for early warning, peacebuilding and service delivery.
PAVE said the campaign would be implemented through its national and state structures as well as affiliated platforms including Youth Against Violent Extremism, Women Against Violent Extremism and Media Against Violent Extremism.
The organisation called on citizens, labour groups, professional associations, civil society organisations, faith leaders and community actors to join the campaign and reinforce its message that protecting lives must remain a national priority.