As part of measures to review Human Rights Sensitive training manual on Prevention of Violent Extremism, as well as strengthen capacity of law enforcement and security providers in respecting human rights, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized a three-day Training of Trainers Workshop on the role of Human Rights Law and Practice in the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) by security providers.
Since the launching of the Policy Framework and National and Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, the Office of the National Security Adviser as required by the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, has worked with partners to provide capacity building in responding to the threat of terrorism and violent extremism. The Training Manual on Human Rights which formed the basis of the Training-of Trainers workshop is in consonance with component two (2) of the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism which seeks to Strengthen Access to Justice, Rule of Law and Human Rights.
The three-day workshop took place in Kaduna from 9-11 November, 2020 with thirty seven (37) participants from various training institutions of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Others include representatives from National Human Rights Commission and the Counter Terrorism Centre- Office of the National Security Adviser, as well as some security correspondents of selected media organizations.
The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Barr. Zakari Mijinyawa, who represented ONSA stated that the Office has continued to implement the National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism to strengthen capacity of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). It was disclosed that the training workshop was conducted to further build capacity of law enforcement and security officials in tandem with pillar one (1) of the PCVE Action Plan. Security Operatives were encouraged to always integrate Strategic Communications into their activities, as a first order capability.
In his remarks, an Assistant Director, Mr. Kabiru Aliyu, who represented the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) noted that the training workshop was a strategic effort by government to implement the whole of Government and whole of Society approach to counter violent extremism in the country, which forms the policy thrust of the National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The Assistant Director urged participants to always strike a balance between national security imperative and the protection of human rights in line with Nigeria, regional and international right treaty obligations.
The three-day Training of TrainersWorkshop covered different aspects of Human Rights including Human Rights and Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in Crime Investigation; Human Rights and the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in Arrest and Detention; Human Rights and the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in Use of Force and Firearms in Law Enforcement; Human Rights, Women’s Right and the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in Law Enforcement; Human Rights and the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in the Treatment of Juveniles; Human Rights and the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in Investigating Police Violations and Overview of Violent Extremism and the Prevention.
At the end of the training programme, participants concluded that human rights observance during security operations will enhance public confidence in security providers and foster community cooperation. It was also agreed that combination of law enforcement and community policing approach would yield better results in preventing violent extremism.