The Partnership Against Violent Extremism Network, PAVE Network, has launched a 30-Day National Civic Advocacy Initiative to mobilise Nigerians around urgent action to protect lives, end abductions, strengthen community resilience and stop the politicisation of insecurity.
The campaign, which runs from 1–30 July 2026, is being implemented under the theme: “Protect Nigerian Lives: End Abductions, Strengthen Communities and Stop the Politicisation of Insecurity.” Campaign slogan: “Nigerian Lives Must Come First.”
Speaking on the campaign, PAVE Network stated that “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.”
PAVE Network noted that “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.”
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.”
PAVE Network emphasised 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.” The Network further called for “PCVE safeguards, independent oversight, accountability mechanisms, professional training, community trust-building and protection of vulnerable groups.”
According to PAVE Network, “local government autonomy is also central to community resilience because local governments are closest to the people and must be empowered to support early warning, local peacebuilding, service delivery, community safety and grassroots development.”
The campaign will be driven by the PAVE National Secretariat, State Chapters, Youth Against Violent Extremism, Women Against Violent Extremism and Media Against Violent Extremism.
PAVE Network calls 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.’”