Seeking a Different Path

This article sets to explore a way forward away from confrontational means in the fight against violent extremism in the North East region of Northern Nigeria. It specifically focused on the plight of the girl-child and other most vulnerable groups. The fact is that within the global education community, the intersections between girl-child education and violent extremism are seldom discussed. There have been stories of the girl-child as victims of conflict, being threatened and abducted from their homes and schools, or forced to marry the extremist fighters. The paper diffuses the magnitude of violence and violent extremism as it undermines collective efforts towards maintaining peace and security, fostering sustainable development, protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law and undertaking humanitarian actions. It concluded that poor education may also function as a gateway to extremism. It is therefore, recommended that the government should provide quality education to victims while the society should support the government in receiving victims without harassment or molestation.