The Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development (ALFOPED) has strengthened efforts to promote peace and prevent violent extremism in Borno State by engaging 200 community stakeholders in a series of dialogue and advocacy sessions across four communities in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas.
The community dialogues were held in Moromti, Maisandari, Bolori and Old Maiduguri under the Strengthening Pathways to Reintegration and Community Resilience Against Violent Extremism in Borno State project. The initiative is funded by the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) and implemented by ALFOPED.
A statement issued by the foundation’s Media Manager, Alhaji Idris Akanmu, said the participants included traditional rulers, teachers, youth and women leaders, caregivers, religious leaders and vulnerable women-headed households.
According to the statement, the programme was designed to improve public understanding of the Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) strategy while promoting peaceful coexistence, social cohesion and stronger community resilience.
It said the dialogue also focused on positive caregiving and parenting, early warning signs of insecurity, community response mechanisms, stigma reduction and the successful reintegration of returnees, especially minors affected by conflict.
The foundation explained that the sessions provided a platform for community members to identify local security challenges, encourage practical community-led solutions and strengthen the role of traditional institutions and other stakeholders in peacebuilding. Community commitments reached during the meetings will also be monitored by both the communities and ALFOPED.
Members of the Community Advocates on Transitional Justice (CATJ) and the Community Women Mediators Forum (COMWOMF), both established by ALFOPED, led discussions on preventing violent extremism among young people, supporting the reintegration of returnees, promoting responsible parenting and improving community-based early warning systems.
The statement noted that participants left the sessions with better knowledge of preventing violent extremism, recognising security risks early and supporting peaceful communities. It added that awareness of the role of parents and caregivers in protecting children and young people from violence also improved.
The four district heads who attended the dialogues separately pledged to establish community sub-committees on reintegration, peacebuilding, education and security to sustain the initiative.
They commended ALFOPED for taking the dialogue to the grassroots and promised to continue similar engagements in their domains.
The foundation said the exercise has also strengthened collaboration between the four districts, CATJ, COMWOMF and ALFOPED, laying the foundation for sustained community-driven peacebuilding efforts in Borno State.
For years, Borno has remained at the centre of Nigeria’s insurgency challenge. Stakeholders believe that alongside military operations, community dialogue, reconciliation, reintegration and grassroots participation remain essential to achieving lasting peace and preventing violent extremism across affected communities.
