The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in collaboration with the Connect Network Foundation, has launched the Safe Zone Project to support and empower women affected by insecurity across Nigeria.
Speaking at the unveiling, the National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the initiative comes at a time when the country continues to face complex security challenges including terrorism, violent extremism, banditry, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
Laka stressed that while military and security responses remain crucial, lasting peace depends on people-focused interventions that tackle root causes, prevent radicalisation, and promote rehabilitation and reintegration.
He explained that the Safe Zone Project is designed to address the needs of women who are often disproportionately impacted by insecurity, including survivors of trafficking, forced recruitment, sexual violence, and economic hardship.
According to him, the programme brings together government agencies, civil society organisations, digital innovation platforms, and international partners to create safe pathways, provide livelihood support, and expand empowerment opportunities for affected women.
“The project aligns with Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (2017), as well as the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, while strengthening collaboration between state and non-state actors,” Laka said.
He commended the Connect Network Foundation, Connect Her Network, and other partners for their commitment, describing the Safe Zone Project as a scalable model capable of advancing national peace and security objectives.
In her remarks, the Founder of Connect Network Foundation, Ambassador Ojiah Oguche, said the initiative goes beyond rescue efforts by offering counselling, vocational training, and livelihood support to help women regain social, financial, and psychological stability.
Oguche noted that many women experience stigma and trauma after surviving conflict, adding that the programme would equip them with skills and resilience to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
She added that while the project primarily focuses on women, men affected by conflict would also benefit through broader reintegration plans.
Also speaking, the Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) at NCTC, Ambassador Abimbola Wonosikou, said the centre would coordinate stakeholders and monitor implementation to ensure beneficiaries receive comprehensive support and rehabilitation.
She explained that NCTC’s ongoing engagement in affected communities through various interventions positions the Safe Zone Project as a transformative step in addressing insecurity.
The Safe Zone Project, she added, reflects Nigeria’s growing emphasis on people-centred security strategies that confront the root causes of extremism while restoring dignity and opportunity to vulnerable populations.