CVE PROJECT

Project Title:

Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism; the Community Peacebuilding and Early Warning/ Early Response (EWER) Approach.

Area of Operation:

Bauchi State.

Implementing Organization:

Centre for Community Actions for Peace and Development (CCAPAD).

Implementing Period: April – September, 2019
Funded by: Global Centre on Cooperative Security, UK and Carefronting Nigeria

Executive Summary
Following the democratic change of Government in Nigeria in 2015, the Federal Authority renewed its counter terrorism warfare in combatting the Boko Haram insurgency, translating to the continued defeat and decimation of the insurgents from the North-Eastern part of Nigeria as their strong hold and operational base to their extension to other key cities of the Northern part of the country, neighboring Bauchi State, inclusive.
The intensity of the Boko Haram’s capability of terror strikes is aided by the poorly coordinated Early Warning Monitoring and Response mechanisms by communities, leaving room for devastation and likely expansion of extremist ideas and activities. Consequently, the capacity of active Early Warning and Response Networks in communities will determine to an extent their vulnerability and resilience.
This intervention is meant to build the local capacities of the grassroots members of the community to identify, monitor, respond and manage strange behaviour, predict conflict trends, alert communities of risks and initiate rapid responses to violent extremist tendencies among community members.
To this effect, CCAPAD in collaboration with Global Centre on Cooperative Security and Carefronting is carrying out this intervention in Bauchi State, in the areas of Grassroots capacity development on Early Warning and Early Response to prevent and counter violent extremism (CVE). The major thematic areas under which the project was implemented were – Workshops, trainings for 100 security outfit (conventional and non-conventional) and Establishment of Early Warning Monitoring and Response Networks.

Summary of Activities Implemented

Activity 1: Project start up and Advocacy visit on the Government and other key Stakeholders

To facilitate the implementation of the project, Centre for Community Actions for Peace and Development, CCAPAD carried out advocacy visits to key stakeholders in Bauchi between June 18th to June 20th, 2019. Highpoint of the activity was to intimate and introduce the Community Leaders and other stakeholders comprising of the Chairman Jama’atul Nasir Islam, JNI, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Bauchi Emirate council, National Orientation Agency, the Police commissioner Bauchi State and the chairman Bauchi youth council Commander to introduce seek for their support and buy-in on the project.
The visits paved the way for subsequent community engagements and easy accessibility into the leadership circles of the communities.

Activity Successes
• The project was successfully introduced and articulated to the critical stakeholders
• The number of stakeholders involved in these activities have agreed to buy-in into the project, with commitment of ownership and sustainability.
• All stakeholders visited were met and supported, pledges buy-ins and commitments were secured.

Activity 2: Selection of participants
In congruence with the approved project activities, CCAPAD was successfully able to visit the earlier highlighted institutions and their leaderships for deliberations on the strict selection criteria and compilation of the vetted lists.

Having being initially detailed intimated on the nomination and selection processes, the activity was smoothly implemented as all the targets simply took turns and flowed with the arrangements. With the collaborative assistance of the Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organizations (BASNEC), the names were fully profiled, documented and invited to the workshop.
Activity Successes
• Names of the participants were collated and harmonised
• Further profiles of the participants were raised therein
• Details of the forthcoming workshop were released and discussed.

Activity 3: Workshops and trainings for the selected beneficiaries
As a key activity on the preventing and countering violent extremism project, the Centre planned and implemented the Early warning Early response (EWER) workshops to community stakeholders from the target community from the 24th to 26th of June, 2019.
The training brought together Ninety-six (96) participants: eighty-one (81) of them were males and fifteen (15) of them were females.

As generated from the feedbacks of the participants, the training was organized and implemented at the best of times, owing to the inherent security challenges that are continuously experienced in neighboring states of Bauchi and particularly being it the gateway State to insurgency riddled North Eastern Part of the country.

The participants were drawn from the following groups:
a. The Nigeria Police Force
b. National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
c. Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN),
d. Boys Brigade
e. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),
f. Aid Group of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI),
g. Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI)
h. Bauchi Youth Council (BYC),
i. Local Hunters Association (LHA),
j. National Orientation Agency
k. Uniform voluntary organizations Union
l. Emirate Council and the
m. Peace and Security Committee (Yan Committee).
During the training, the participants were intensively and practically engaged and the following topics were covered:

  1. CVE concept,
  2. Community engagement,
  3. Drivers of Radicalization and Factors of Radicalization,
  4. Approaches to counter the drivers of radicalization,
  5. Introduction to communication (the Community process, the 7 CS Leadership communication elements of communication), Prejudice & stereotyping,
  6. Leadership communication framework,
  7. Conflict Early warning system, structure and function,
  8. Difference between monitoring and intelligence gathering,
  9. Concept of monitoring
  10. Indicators and signs as precursors to the eruption of violence
  11. Simulation exercises on safety/security and CVE.

Activity Successes
• More security conscious atmosphere of peace, mutual trust, cooperation and love is attained as seen in the effective synergy built between state and non-state Security actors.
• The 96 participants (15F/81M) involved in the training have been trained and their capacities built on Early Warning, Mediation, Leadership and Communication Skills.

• Deeper insights and analyses of the security challenges were unearthed and discussed
• Personal and formal networking between the actors was visibly created
• Institutional analyses (Organizational Scan) of the participating organizations were jointly conducted
• Practical and modern security management techniques were impacted on the participants as security service providers.

Activity 4: Establishment of Early Warning Monitoring and Response Networks
CCAPAD, has been able to establish an Early Warning Monitoring and Response Network in Bauchi using the trained beneficiaries of the trainings to coordinate the affairs of the network. An eight (8) man committee that represents the various participating organizations was elected from the participants to serve as the pioneer leaders of the network with the Emir of Bauchi, Alh. Dr Rilwanu Adamu as the patron. After inaugurating the members, there was a symbolic presentation of the banner for the monthly meetings to the chairman, Sani Yakubu the commandant Bauchi peace and security network and his team. The network will be known as the “CCAPAD Local Security Network” and having been holding their monthly meetings every last day of the month.

Activity Successes

• Locally identified and trained beneficiaries (15f/81m) involved in the workshop/training are formed into a cluster and structure with the all-important mandate of networking and collaboration among themselves.
• Functional platform has been formed.
• As a powerful sustainability strategy, the acceptance of the Emir of Bauchi as the Patron of the Network was a huge success.

Activity 5: Monthly Network meetings

As build up to the training conducted with the local security, local groups and other relevant security agencies on EWER, the group were are able to meet at the end of every month to discuss and proffer ways to prevent, counter and discuss possible ways of tackling violent extremism in their respective communities.

Activity Successes
• 96 beneficiaries involved in this project are engaged in the activities of the networks and had so far held one (5) monthly meetings.(from July – November,2019)
• An action plan was developed by the members to carry out certain activities in their communities.

Activity 6: Media Outreach
In its bid to keep the project beneficiaries and the larger public abreast of events and information on the project, CCAPAD periodically engages the services of the print and electronic media in creating further awareness and discuss on the subject matter.
Activity Successes
• Increase in the level of awareness of the project initiative as the larger society is better informed on the project.
• Wider public support and buy ins were secured
• Local step downs by member organizations are being discussed

Activity 7: Production of IEC Materials
Activity Successes
• This activity has enhanced the visibility, awareness and public support of the project initiative as it has been attested by number of posters, stickers, hand bills, and the T. shirts wore by the project beneficiaries and stakeholders.

Key Achievements and Highlights
Establishing ewer network

Workshops gave participants the opportunity to think through ways to better prepare for outbreaks of violence or preventing and countering violent extremism in their immediate communities. Many of the participants found the focus on what they could do in advance to mitigate the impact of violent extremism using the early warning early response mechanism. They agreed ways to improve the coordination of response efforts and communication channels. The initiative brought home how collaborative responses across all the security outfit can improve the effectiveness of responses to violent extremism and also contribute to confidence building within the people.
A good number of the stakeholders have volunteered to support the project in the communities, they have been able to be part of the network and their presence and valuable contributions to sustain the project has been of great impact.
From interviews and meetings held with the stakeholders, about 60% of feedback from the stakeholders and number of the larger communities are informed on the project initiatives on preventing and countering violent extremism in their immediate communities.
The functionality of the network/platforms has helped in creating space for sharing of security information that has developed and strengthened early warning response of the local groups and other government agencies that are directly involved in the project initiative.

Monthly Network meetings

The “CCAPAD Local Security Network” has been able to foster collaboration among local security outfits in Bauchi. The EWER network strives to build synergies among member organizations and other stakeholders on issues of conflict, early warning, and prevention, while effectively supporting the work of peace committees in various communities.
The EWER network meets once monthly for general meetings and occasionally for the steering committee members meeting and special events as needed. To date, the EWER network comprises of 15 active local security groups that work to provide relevant data for the EWER so that violent extremism can be prevented.
• Beneficiaries involved in this project are engaged in the activities of the networks and had so far held one (5) monthly meetings (from July – November, 2019).
• The network has been able to design a letter-headed paper which has helped in mobilizing /inviting other relevant agencies to attend their monthly meetings or any planned activities as it concerns the network.
• Harmonized and coordinated approach to issues of insecurity and violent extremism are realized by the presence of all the groups involved in the EWER training at the inception of the project.
• The ability of the network to alternate meeting venues, is a sure sign that the project has been accepted and is being sustained in the communities.
The feedback generated from the meetings and focus group discussions has shown positive indication that the project is on track.
• Members of the network have developed a work plan on activities they intend to implement in their communities. E.g advocacy visits to the leadership of the association tricycle riders, whose members are prone to extremist tendencies and used to perpetrate crimes.

Workshops and trainings for the selected beneficiaries
The training brought together Ninety-six (96) participants: eighty-one (81) of them were males and fifteen (15) of them were females. As generated from the feedbacks of the participants, the training was organized and implemented at the best of times, owing to the inherent security challenges that are continuously experienced in neighbouring states of Bauchi and particularly being it the gateway State to insurgency riddled North Eastern Part of the country.

Feedbacks from participants
“The collaboration with organizations from the different security outfits has been new and very useful, both in terms of giving us the assurance that we are on the right track and also because we have something meaningful to share and learn from.” Workshop participant, Palace Guard, Bauchi Emirate Council

“This is the first time the emirate council was nominated to be part of such a training on security it is a sure sign that stakeholder’s commitment is strengthening and will take ownership of this process”.
Workshop participant, Palace Guard, Bauchi Emirate Council

“ This workshop has begun to develop a constituency of people who can work on multiple layers of early warning response. It has started to establish processes and explore mechanisms for how local security personnel can react/prevent issues relating to violent extremism… We have a stronger synergy coming out of the workshop.” Workshop participant, member VGN

“This training programme is an eye-opener for all of us. As a police officer, it has provided me with the understanding to better my work and about challenges and local conflicts.” Police officer, Bauchi state command

The key components to the success of this activities were; using a participatory approach to engage all related stakeholders during project implementation process.

Challenges and lessons learned
Overall Challenges
• Refusal of critical stakeholders in the security business to attend initial planned meeting, for problems of administrative bottle necks. This made the members of the network to design a letter headed paper with its logo, this singular effort has eased the mobilization of members to attended meetings and meeting notifications/invitation are now sent to all members prior to the scheduled meeting.
• Superior officers sending their subordinates to represent them in such training, does not give room for the subordinate to take key decisions as it relates to the this project.
• Owing to the acceptability of the project in Bauchi metropolis, there was a high influx of more participants from the identified groups, pleading to be admitted but had to be strictly regulated.
• The presence of women was not strongly felt in the training because only 15% were in attendance which is attributed to the cultural and perhaps religious sensitivity of project implementation Area.
• Delay in disbursement of grants to CCAPAD affected the timing and project implementation process.
• Some of the participants could not read or write and this hindered them from effective participation during the training.
Lessons learned

  1. There is a visible presence of informal EWER structures in the community, anchored by the Bauchi peace and security network. Though active, they are inexperienced on the technical aspect of security provision, especially, on CVE. This training provided however, is seemingly very timely as it will go a long way in addressing those challenges.
  2. Evident from the level of concerns and commitment to the processes, there is still a very wide gap that is urgently needed to be filled on local security hence, the quest for SCALE UP and REPLICATION have been identified as dire needs.
  3. It was also learned that contextualizing and conducting trainings in both English and local languages like Hausa, as adopted by CCAPAD works out well and produces results.
  4. It must also be recognized, however, that there may be many other informal and community-led initiatives of the early warning system that have not been systematically utilized but however, they are being applied to prevent violence in cross-cultural settings of the communities, and how that would contribute to develop an evidence-based bottom-up approach and also mainstreamed into CVE projects
  5. No synergy existed between the entire local security outfits in the communities, each was carrying out its activities as it feels it was proper.
  6. This project is the first of its kind that had the emirate council as participant in the workshop of this nature.
  7. For lack of adequate information and obvious misgivings majority of the Muslims at the training do not attend workshops of this nature but this exercise witnessed a large turnout (as attested to by the participants).

What, if anything, would you do differently if implementing this program again?

Monitoring and Evaluation
This was conducted using the participatory approach in which the participation of all stakeholders has been key. CCAPAD ensured that the Networks monthly meetings were regularly monitored, action plans, implementations and immediate outcomes, using specific indicators helped to keep the project on track and enhancing achievement of project objectives.

Impact: Strengthening community response on conflict prevention and peace building through improved capacity and coordination among non-state actors in Bauchi State
Outcome: Strengthened and supportive partnership built between the Stakeholders and CCAPAD
Output Activities Indicator Means of Verification Source of information
Stakeholders properly informed on the initiatives Advocacy visit on the Government and other key Stakeholders in Bauchi State
Feedback from stakeholders and number of the larger communities are informed on the initiative
Number of stakeholders volunteering to support the project.
A good number of decision makers expressing willingness to support the project (speeches etc.) Record of comments, feedback received from stakeholders, minutes taken at meeting and Pictures. Project records
Outcome: Improved community response to peace building and security management achieved.
Capacity of beneficiaries built on Early Warning, Mediation and Negotiation Skills.

Effective state and non-state actors synergy built Workshops and trainings for the selected beneficiaries
Capacity of the 100 beneficiaries involved in the training built in the areas of early warning and early response.
3 days training held.
Participant’s attendance list and pictures, Programme team reports. Project plan

Outcome: Harmonized and coordinated approach to issues of insecurity and violent extremism are realised.
Output Activities Indicators Means of verification Source of information
100 identified and trained beneficiaries (15f/81m) are formed into clusters and structures with the all-important mandate of networking and collaboration among themselves. Establishment of Early Warning Monitoring and Response Networks
Level of functionality of the established network of EWER response.
100 (15f/81m) of the beneficiaries and other stakeholders are engaged in the activities of the networks.
Pictures, attendance sheets, payment sheets, activity reports, minutes of meeting. Project record
100 identified and trained beneficiaries (15f/81m) are involved in the monthly meetings Monthly network meetings 5 monthly meetings held from July to November.
3 advocacy/courtesy call made to relevant stakeholders( e.g leadership of association of tricycle riders and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, ) Pictures, attendance sheets, activity reports, minutes of meeting. Project record, project plan, letters of invitation, participant
Outcome: Enhanced visibility, awareness and public support of the project initiative.
The Social, Print and Electronic Media are strategically engaged on the production of phone-in & scripted programmes and editorials to support the project objectives. Media Outreach
Series of programmes held
A large number of viewership of the media programme
Photos, newspaper cut, audio CDs Project record, project plan,
The capacity of project communities have been significantly built in early warning and response mechanisms, networks and platforms set up in target communities susceptible to current and new insurgent threats. The impact of these activities have shown positive impacts that there will be reduction vulnerability of these communities to terror attacks and violent conflicts, and thus prevent them from happening

Prospects for sustainability and recommendations for future/ongoing programming

This project has the deliberate strategy of involving community members, leaders, local security outfits and domiciled organizations at every stage of the project implementation processes, using the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership principles which includes seeking the approval of community leaders for the project’s implementation in their communities that will promote a deeper understanding of the process and a degree of ownership of the project’s outcomes. The project is been sustained through engaging volunteers for performing some of the project activities this has ensured sustainability in the long run.
The project will also leverage on the wealth of the local experience of the network members in both formal and informal contexts, to be able to guarantee community ownership of the project, beyond its life cycle.
Recommendation
Effective early warning and early response rely on people and institutions with the capacity and willingness to engage in prevention or responding to violent extremist tendencies within their communities. Local groups and individuals at community level play a key role in addressing conflict and violence through their own initiatives and in contributing to the effectiveness of the early warning and peacebuilding efforts of others.
As developed within the report, many recommendations can be made to facilitate a stronger EWER network and platforms. The next steps should be:
• CCAPAD as implementing organization should have an increase in the number of the CCAPAD local security network presence within Bauchi State that have less reporting to ensure effective coverage of the early warning mechanism.

• A continued monitoring of VE and conflict trends while maintaining a response to case-specific reports which could increase the threats of extremist in communities.

• CCAPAD should provide avenues for establishing a higher involvement from government agencies which is vital both in terms of data collection and the sustainability of the project.
• There should be greater inclusion of other organizations that could assist in the reporting and analysis of violent extremist tendencies within Bauchi State and environs.

PHOTO GALLERY

The Advocacy Visits

The EWER Training

Establishment of EWER Networks

EWER Network Monthly Meeting

Financial report