Early Warning Crucial In Mitigating Conflict, Crime - CISLAC

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

Participants at a one-day dialogue on  Early Warning and Early Response in Enugu recently.

As insecurity threatens source of livelihoods, disrupts socio-communal life, and deepen public distrust, the  Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has  disclosed that Early Warning and Early Response Systems (EWERS) is crucial in mitigating conflict, crime and hazards. 

This was part of the discuss at a one-day Community Security Architecture Dialogue on Early Warning and Early Response organised by CISLAC/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) with support from Open Society Foundation Africa (OSF-Africa) in Enugu. 

The dialogue which took place on January 24, 2024,  was aimed at strengthening local participation and expanding community-based early warning and response system. 

It attracted participants from traditional institutions, community observers, community response networks, security agencies, civil society organisations and local governments. 

The communique was endorsed by the Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa; representative of Parent-Child Intervention Centre, Peggy Chukwuemeka and his counterpart in Agents of Communication and Development, Kenloliss Ogbuzuru. 

Musa lamented that since 2013, Southeast has witnessed rising insecurity that was exacerbated by armed clashes, mob violence, abduction, violence demonstration, looting and sexual violence. 

This, he blamed on the activities of unknown gunmen, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), communal militia, pastoralists, political parties, Ebube Agu, cultists and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). 

The participants noted that between 2015 and 2023, the Southeast recorded over 166 deaths related to environmental hazards, being the second highest in Nigeria, adding that over one million people were displaced. 

They suggested establishing a robust database that would facilitate the storage of detailed information on the nature, characteristics and causes of conflict and crime. 

Also, developing a strong analytical skill on early warning that would lead to the assessment of unfolding events, thereby creating effective plans to overcome obstacles.

"Gender mainstreaming in EWERS for inclusive participation and information provision that enhance efficient functionality of community response and structures. 

"Active participation in community security architecture through synergy building and adequate support for efficient working relationship among men, youth, women, local leaders, CBOs, state and non-state actors, as well as international organisations.  

"Enhancing efficient operationalisation of community EWERS through proactive reporting, incidence prioritisation, proper verification and coordinated response.

"Developing a pre-established channel of communication in community early warning and early response systems to provide a smooth, reliable and streamlined path of communication that flows across warners, responders and policy makers," the communique added. 

The participants harped on the need to encourage community–media working relationship in order to amplify reporting on security threat for appropriate actions.