The Governor of Taraba State Agbu Kefas, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to combating violent extremism and curbing terrorism financing, to foster a peaceful environment conducive to development.
Kefas made this known in Jalingo, the state capital, during a two-day workshop organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre with the support of the GIABA-ECOWAS Commission.
The workshop, aimed at enhancing the capacity of security agencies and community networks in the early detection, reporting, prevention, and proactive response to violent extremism and terrorism financing, gathered key stakeholders from across the state.
Speaking through the Chief of Staff, Government House Administration, Jeji Williams emphasised that his administration would continue to intensify efforts to address the evolving challenges of insecurity in the state.
He urged participants to fully engage with the workshop’s lessons, highlighting the importance of their contributions in providing the critical community feedback needed to effectively counter these threats.
He commended CISLAC and the GIABA-ECOWAS Commission for their proactive steps in raising awareness among communities in Taraba State about the dangers of terrorism financing, adding that the menace has plagued society for some time and requires a collective effort to tackle effectively.
In his opening remarks, CISLAC Project Manager, Jimoh Abubakar, outlined the objectives of the workshop, emphasising the need for grassroots and community-level discussions on countering terrorism financing.
Jimoh pointed out that terrorism financing often occurs unnoticed within communities, undermining peace and security not only in Taraba State but across Nigeria.
The project manager explained that the project aims to equip stakeholders with the necessary knowledge to understand the operations of terrorism financing at the community level and to devise lasting strategies to combat it.