SAVE Hails Tinubu’s Security Gains, Seeks Renewed Partnership With Defence Ministry
By Matthew Eloyi
Students Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) has commended the Federal Government for what it described as encouraging improvements in the security situation across parts of Northern Nigeria, while calling for renewed collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and other security institutions to strengthen efforts against violent extremism.
The organisation made the call in a letter of appreciation and proposal for renewed collaboration dated September 1, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), OFR.
In the letter signed by its President, Abubakar Usman, SAVE said its assessment of the security situation was informed not only by reports but also by firsthand observations from travels through some areas previously affected by insecurity.
The organisation said its president spent more than three weeks in Bama, Borno State, where he observed what he described as “a remarkable level of calm.”
“Throughout my stay, I did not hear a single gunshot,” Usman said, while acknowledging that Bama continued to face challenges relating to economic recovery, infrastructure and livelihoods.
SAVE also reported observing encouraging developments across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states and other parts of the North-East, particularly improved freedom of movement and a greater sense of security compared with previous periods of heightened insecurity.
According to the group, the developments reflected the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, to address the country’s security challenges and create an environment where citizens can travel, work and conduct their legitimate activities with greater confidence.
The organisation also commended Gen. Musa for his role in translating the Federal Government’s broader security vision into action, citing his experience in the Nigerian Armed Forces and his previous service as Chief of Defence Staff.
While acknowledging the importance of security operations, SAVE argued that the fight against violent extremism must extend beyond military action.
It identified education, youth engagement, community sensitisation and early prevention as critical components of a sustainable strategy against radicalisation.
The organisation said this philosophy formed the basis of SAVE, which was inaugurated during Gen. Musa’s tenure as Chief of Defence Staff with the aim of taking messages of peace and prevention directly to students, schools and communities.
Its objective, it explained, is to help young Nigerians understand the dangers of violent extremism, reject radicalisation and embrace peaceful coexistence and responsible citizenship.
SAVE further called for wider distribution of educational materials authored and launched by the Defence Minister, describing them as an important foundation for engaging young people on the dangers of extremism.
However, the organisation disclosed that some activities initially planned under the initiative had not progressed at the desired pace because of resource and operational constraints.
The group said the time was ripe to renew and strengthen its relationship with relevant security and government institutions.
It called for greater institutional guidance, improved coordination and periodic engagement with appropriate authorities, stressing that modest support for educational materials, community outreach and basic logistics could enable it to reach more schools and communities.
SAVE emphasised that its proposed partnership was not intended to duplicate the responsibilities of government or security agencies.
Rather, it wants to operate as a complementary, youth-focused platform capable of taking messages of peace, national unity and violent-extremism prevention to communities where young people could benefit most.
The organisation said it remained open to any structure, guidance or form of collaboration that the Defence Ministry and relevant authorities might consider appropriate.
SAVE said that, despite the challenges that remain, its field observations across the North-East had given it “reasons for renewed hope.”
“As young Nigerians who have witnessed the consequences of insecurity, we are encouraged by the changes being recorded under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the organisation said.
It pledged to continue contributing, within its capacity, to the national campaign against violent extremism and the promotion of peace, unity and responsible citizenship among Nigerian youths.
The organisation concluded by expressing its readiness for renewed engagement and stronger cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and other relevant institutions in the prevention of violent extremism and promotion of peace across the country.
