CDS Launches Student-Led SAVE Task Forces to Combat Extremism in North-East
Pan Afric Reporters Maiduguri, Nigeria — June 28, 2025
In a bold step towards curbing radicalisation and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, today inaugurated two student-led task forces—Students Against Violent Extremism (SAVE 1 and SAVE 2)—at a high-level multi-sector conference in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The conference, organized by the Kaltum Foundation for Peace in collaboration with the Network of Civil Society Organisations and the Borno State Youth Parliament, brought together students, traditional rulers, civil society leaders, and top security stakeholders to foster grassroots resistance against violent extremism.
In his keynote address, General Musa according to a press release e-signed by the Directorate of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau described his return to Maiduguri as a “profound homecoming,” citing his deep operational history in the region, including commanding roles in Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation HADIN KAI. He praised the resilience of the North-East people and called on students to become active ambassadors of peace.
“You are the torchbearers of new values, and you must choose paths that build rather than break our nation,” the CDS declared. He emphasized the need for non-kinetic tools in the war against extremism, urging youth to embrace civic vigilance, responsible digital engagement, and peer advocacy to counter radical ideologies.
Highlighting the urgency of the mission, General Musa warned, “Silence is no longer an option. The evil ignored today may haunt us tomorrow.”
The SAVE Task Forces, officially launched at the event, are composed of student volunteers dedicated to promoting unity, supporting at-risk peers, and spreading inclusive narratives across schools and communities. The initiative is expected to play a critical role in early-warning networks and community-based deradicalization efforts.
General Musa also used the occasion to appreciate the reception of his recent book, “Taking Stand Against Insurgency, Terrorism and Banditry: Admonition to Nigerian Youth,” urging for ongoing dialogue and feedback to enhance national counterterrorism strategies.
He extended his gratitude to the Governors of Borno and Yobe States, as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for their steadfast support in the region’s recovery under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a moment of solemn reflection, the CDS condemned the recent suicide bombings in the region, expressing sympathy to the affected families and reinforcing the armed forces’ commitment to defeating terrorism in all its forms.
The event concluded with a clear and resounding message: the youth of the North-East are no longer just the hope for tomorrow—they are the defenders of peace today.
