The heightened security challenges on a spiral in Plateau, Zamfara and Taraba States which have resulted in colossal destruction and losses in human and material resources, have become worrisome and it seems as though the spate of violence wears a veil. Finding a lasting solution to the menace, the harvests of deaths and deep-seated animosities created by the cycle of violence, has become a thing of concern to all.
It is important to note that security is a concern to everyone and there’s need to be at alert. The need for early warning indicators to be immediately escalated to security personnel when observed, and the ability to share vital information to avert a total collapse of communities during conflicts, is key.
To achieve this, CLEEN Foundation, in response to the continuous conflict and security challenges confronting the States, held a capacity-building workshop between 8th-10th September 2022 which had in attendance a total of 40 EWER Forum members and 40 women beneficiaries each from Plateau (focal communities across Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government Areas), Zamfara (focal communities across Bulunku community, Yashi community, Nahuce community, Rijiya community) and Taraba States (focal communities across Rafin-kada, Puje, Gunduma and Mutum-Biyu).
The purpose of the three days’ workshop was to build the capacity of EWER forum members and selected women group leaders to mitigate conflict across their various communities by strengthening and expanding EWER capabilities in identifying, verifying, escalating, and intervening in violent actions. During the workshop, EWER forum members were trained on how to analyse and prevent conflicts, set up Community Accountability Forum, Risk Mitigation Strategy and Response Plan, Conflict Documentation and Analysis, Data Sensitivity and Data Protection. The three days’ workshop gave participants opportunity to make presentation on the core security problems, roots causes, effects and stakeholders that could address the problems.
The interactive workshop fully met the expectations as it successfully enlightened participants on their roles in violence prevention and strategic community engagements. Consequently, participants understood the importance of building trust between the Forum and a larger community and were also able to demonstrate an enhanced grasp of security response and risk mitigation plans, at the end of the workshop.