NSA denounces the number of young people joining armed groups

National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), has expressed concern about the increasing number of young people in the country joining armed groups.

In his view, the scourge should be discouraged while seeking to deradicalize the already armed.

Monguno, who was represented by the National Coordinator, National Center for Counter-Terrorism, Office of National Security Adviser, Vice Admiral Yem Musa (retd.), spoke at a workshop on community amnesty management, de-radicalization and reintegration in Abuja on Tuesday .

He said: “Just as it is common practice in many countries of the world, Nigeria faces security challenges at different levels of intensity across the six geopolitical zones.

“The scale of youth joining armed groups is alarming; measures to counter this trend should therefore aim at preventing radicalization among young people and transforming those who have taken up arms into normal citizens.”

He also warned that amnesties repeatedly granted to armed groups by the government at various levels could be counterproductive if there is no set policy.

He said: “As you may know, the concept and practice of amnesty is not new in Nigeria. The federal government and several states have repeatedly granted amnesty.

“However, this can become counterproductive to national security in the absence of established policies/legislation, national ownership and a coordination mechanism. In the absence of an amnesty law, ad hoc declarations have become the main vehicle. This is a gap that this workshop aims to initiate and fill.”

Catriona Laing, the UK’s High Commissioner for Nigeria, noted that while amnesty and voluntary GDR processes are essential components of successful conflict resolution, impunity should not be encouraged.

She pleaded for some form of justice for members of armed groups who would not be prosecuted.

She said: “International law makes it clear that there can be no impunity for crimes against humanity. These approaches must therefore be complemented by strong, timely and fair criminal justice procedures for those who have committed serious crimes. “