By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – An Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) Strategy and its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) has been launched in Plateau State, as part of efforts to strengthen coordinated responses to insecurity and prevent the escalation of conflicts across the State.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier-General Gakji Shipi (rtd), who performed the ceremony, said the initiative provides a structured framework for responding to alerts from crisis-prone areas.

He described it as a long-term strategy aimed at addressing insecurity through coordination, information sharing and timely response, while assuring stakeholders of the government’s commitment to its implementation.

Brigadier-General Shipi also warned against the spread of fake security information on social media, urging citizens to rely on verified sources.

According to the security expert, some of the threats are mere misinformation and tricks to scare citizens particularly during religious festivities.

Speaking at the launch, Country Manager of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), Chris Agoha, whose organisation drove the process, explained that the objective of the strategy is to transform conflict management from a reactive approach to a proactive and integrated prevention system by strengthening local capacities and response mechanisms.

He noted that Plateau State’s history of conflicts and displacement made the intervention imperative.

In a keynote address, the Special Envoy to the Plateau State Government on Peace and Security, Chris Kwaja, said violence prevention depends largely on addressing underlying drivers of conflict such as poverty and good governance.

He called for support to address the psychological injuries associated with insecurity and disasters, noting that “the administrative capacity of the state to deliver good governance to the people can help build public trust.”

According to him, the erosion of public trust has fuelled conflict and contributed to state capture.

The SOP booklet was unveiled to guide citizens on recognising threats and reporting incidents to appropriate authorities.