Nigeria, De-radicalization, Prison 

The Nigerian Counter Terrorism Strategy recognised that force alone was not enough to combat
violent extremist elements in Nigeria and that a multi-faceted approach was required to counter the
threat of violent extremism. The Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) was tasked with
developing an ambitious countering violent extremism (CVE) programme consisting of three
elements: community-based counter radicalisation; strategic communications; and de-radicalisation.
The de-radicalisation element of the CVE programme included establishing a prison based deradicalisation
programme for sentenced and pre-trial prisoners.
The challenge facing ONSA and the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) in setting up the de-radicalisation
programme was considerable. Prison conditions were basic; there were no existing offending
behaviour programmes on which to build; risk assessment was rudimentary and focussed on escape
risk; awareness among staff at all levels of de-radicalisation programmes, their content and how they
should be managed, was minimal; specialist staff were in short supply and had no training in running
interventions; and resources, both physical and financial, were limited.
This paper sets out how ONSA and NPS went about establishing the de-radicalisation programme and
describes key elements of that programme, including: creating a supportive operating environment;
risk and needs assessment; types of intervention; and programme management and staffing. It
highlights the challenges and lessons that can be drawn from the operation of the programme during
its first 18 months, which will be of particular interest to low resource, post-conflict and fragile states
that are seeking to establish their own basic de-radicalisation programmes.  

25 p.; 24 cm