The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue is delighted to announce an important contribution towards addressing conflict in Northern Nigeria.
Under the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) FCDO funded project, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) organized a workshop to validate the Early Warning Early Response (EWER) Strategy and Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) it has developed for Plateau State. The validation exercise was a crucial step towards addressing existing gaps in the identification of conflict early warning signals and the response to issues which exacerbate conflicts.
The context for this is that North-Central and North-West regions of Nigeria have long been plagued by resource-based conflicts, banditry, and rising criminality, with tensions exacerbated by ethnic and religious grievances. The North Central region of the country is the most troubled in the review period of two weeks, with six incidents that led to 59 casualties (47 deaths and 12 injured persons) and 13 kidnap victims. Of this figure, Plateau State has the highest number of casualties, with 56 cases. According to Nextier’s field sources, the attacks on Hurti and Manguna communities in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) last week by suspected armed herders contributed to the high number.
The inadequacy of existing EWER systems to effectively report and respond to early warning signals is a major contributor to escalating violence. Challenges such as poor coordination, delayed reporting, and inadequate legal and policy frameworks hinder the impact of current initiatives.
HD’s strategy aims to address the structures and systems of EWER in Plateau State by strengthening coordination and transparency. By establishing clear, actionable protocols, the initiative aspires to break the cycles of violence and rebuild community trust in EWER systems.
HD Nigeria adopted a “bottom-up” methodological approach, drawing on insights and recommendations from Stakeholder Consultations and Framework Development Workshops conducted across the Southern, Central, Northern Senatorial Zones, as well as the State-Level engagement from 3rd – 25th March. Participants in these consultations were drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Military Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), State officials, Local Government Councils, Traditional and Religious Leaders, Community Stakeholders, and Civil Society Organizations.These consultations resulted in development and validation of an Early Warning Early Response Strategy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 2025-2028.
“In the ever-evolving global landscape of peace and security, the need for swift and effective response mechanisms cannot be overstated. EWER systems play a crucial role in preventing conflicts before they spiral out of control, reducing destruction and promoting sustainable development”, said Chris Agoha, HD Nigeria Country Manager.
Participants at the validation workshop commended HD for the initiative to produce an Early Warning Early Response (EWER) Strategy and Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for Plateau State and the North Central region in general. The Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Chiefs and Emirs “attributed the peace that the citizens are enjoying to the peacemaking work of HD Nigeria,” noting that HD is helping the traditional rulers in their roles of protecting the population at the grassroot levels”.
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Also commenting on the work of HD, Amb. Danjuma Sheni, President of Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement (PIDAN) stated that “HD had done a great deal in resolving conflicts in Nigeria and all over the world, which is an unprecedented effort in peacemaking”. The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military crisis response team, “pledged commitment to always support HD to succeed in its mission of bringing peace in Plateau State”.