By Uriel Ihotu
In a strategic push to enhance grassroots resistance to terrorism and radicalisation, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Saturday, June 28, 2025, inaugurated two student-led counter-extremism task forces Students Against Violent Extremism (SAVE 1 and SAVE 2)—in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the inauguration was held during a high-level multi-sectoral conference organised by the Kaltum Foundation for Peace, in collaboration with the Network of Civil Society Organisations and the Borno State Youth Parliament.
The one-day forum brought together students, traditional rulers, civil society actors, and security agencies to foster dialogue, deepen awareness, and build sustainable local structures to counter extremist ideologies.
Addressing the gathering, General Musa described his return to Maiduguri as a “homecoming,” recalling his leadership in key military operations in the region, including Operations LAFIYA DOLE and HADIN KAI.
“You are the torchbearers of new values. Be architects of unity, not agents of division,” he told the students, emphasizing that Nigeria’s youth must take center stage in reversing the spread of extremist ideologies through civic vigilance, peer advocacy, and responsible use of social media.
He warned that extremism often thrives in silence, misinformation, and identity manipulation.
“Silence is no longer an option. The evil ignored today may haunt us tomorrow,” the Defence Chief stated, urging the newly inaugurated SAVE teams to be proactive peace ambassadors in their schools and communities.
Describing the student initiative as a “non-kinetic force multiplier,” General Musa said the SAVE programme aligns with the military’s broader strategy to win hearts and minds in the fight against insurgency.
The event also featured a review of General Musa’s book, Taking Stand Against Insurgency, Terrorism and Banditry: Admonition to Nigerian Youth, which he described as a tool for constructive engagement. He invited feedback from the youth to enrich Nigeria’s evolving counter-insurgency roadmap.
General Musa expressed appreciation to the Governors of Borno and Yobe States for their unwavering cooperation and support, and acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for driving the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to rebuild and rehabilitate conflict-affected regions.
He also condemned the recent spate of suicide bombings in Borno State, describing the attacks as acts of desperation by weakened terrorists. The CDS offered condolences to the victims and reassured citizens of the military’s continued resolve to secure every inch of Nigerian territory.
The conference concluded with a strong message of resilience: that the youth of the North-East are not just tomorrow’s leaders they are today’s vanguard in the national campaign for peace, unity, and security.
