Search for Common Ground (SFCG) has conducted a two-day training on Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) systems, aimed at empowering peacebuilders and community stakeholders to better monitor and address conflicts. Held on October 17 and 18, 2024, at Villa Grande Hotel in Jos, Plateau State, the training attracted participants from diverse sectors, including traditional and religious leaders, security personnel, and community members.
Williams Ubimago, Project Manager for the IRENEW Project, stressed the importance of the training given the persistent religiously motivated violence in Nigeria. He cited incidents like the killing of Deborah Usman Bawa and violence in Bauchi State as examples of the need for stronger early warning mechanisms. The initiative, supported by multiple donors, is part of a broader project to promote peace across Nigeria through the National Project on Protecting and Preventing Freedom of Religion and Belief (PPFORB) and the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA).
Plateau State, a region often marred by religious conflicts, was identified as a priority for the intervention. Ubimago highlighted violent attacks in communities such as Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Miango, emphasizing the need for timely reporting of early warning signs to prevent escalation.
Tosin Adebayo, Program Development Coordinator at SFCG Nigeria, explained that the training aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the ethics and practicalities of EWER. He noted that many conflicts in Plateau, including farmer-herder clashes and kidnappings, could be mitigated with better early warning and response mechanisms.
Suchet Musa, JISRA Project Manager at SFCG, emphasized the creation of platforms for collaboration between communities and security agencies. He pointed out that these platforms would enable timely responses to conflicts, particularly those linked to freedom of religion and belief.
Andy Nkemneme, National Conflict and Policy Analyst at SFCG Nigeria, underscored the importance of preventing conflicts before they turn violent. He urged participants to ensure early identification of conflict indicators and swift communication with authorities to prevent violence.
Participants lauded the training’s relevance to Plateau’s ongoing security challenges. SP Ayuba Ilia, Divisional Police Officer of Rantya Station, Plateau State Command, praised the initiative for enlightening communities on early warning signs. Fatima Abdullah Sani, a participant from Barkin Ladi, pledged to share the knowledge with her community to help prevent violence.
The EWER training represents a vital step toward fostering peace in Plateau State by empowering participants to detect and respond to conflict early, ultimately promoting greater collaboration between communities and security agencies.
