CSOs Train North East Families On How To Counter Violent Extremism, Boko Haram Propaganda

Neem Foundation and Hedayah have successfully trained Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Northeastern Nigeria on how to assist families in combating violent extremism and propaganda from terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The Neem Foundation’s Director of Programmes, Mr. Ahmed Jumare, announced the initiative, which is supported by the European Union, following a six-day workshop. The workshop, which took place at the Grand Sands Hotels in Maiduguri, Borno State, on May 7th-9th and May 28th-30th, drew 32 participants from civil societies and organisations in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba.

The northeastern region of Nigeria has faced significant challenges as a result of Boko Haram activities and other terrorist organisations, resulting in displacement, destabilisation of local security, and constant danger for communities. Many families in the region have members who have joined or are susceptible to radicalization, with the potential to become violent extremists. Former members’ reintegration is further hampered by the fact that they are frequently shunned or vilified in their home communities.
In response to these challenges, the Neem Foundation and Hedayah worked together to train CSOs on how to help families combat violent extremism.

Jumare described the training as a series of group activities aimed at localising the approach, improving understanding, and drafting concepts on the covered topics.

Hedayah facilitators joined the training virtually to help with the sessions, he said. Participants expressed gratitude for the training modules, emphasising the significance of the methodologies covered.

One of the participants, Muhammad Ngobdo Hassan, emphasised the importance of learning how to engage with families in need of reintegration support, as well as the methodology to be used. “The training was very technical and beneficial. It is difficult to conduct a needs assessment, code it, and identify critical issues so that they can be converted into interventions. “This training has improved our work,” he explained.

Other participants praised the training’s timeliness, given the ongoing challenges posed by insurgents and the growing number of Boko Haram members seeking reintegration. Ali Maina of GISCO, a local organisation in Borno, stated, “This training has come at the right time. The Borno Model is used to combat violent extremism, deradicalize people, and reintegrate them.
Resettlement is ongoing, and this type of training is extremely beneficial.”

The workshop also discussed how local organisations can fully support families through violence prevention and peace-building interventions, while also taking into account their emotional well-being. Participants learned more about providing psychosocial support.
Another participant, Hauwa Muhammad, explained that her organisation, Rehabilitation Empowerment for Better Health Initiative, had previously focused on victims rather than their families. “The community and its members, not just the organisations, must collaborate to help victims and their families,” Muhammad emphasised.

The training emphasised the importance of involving the entire community in assisting victims and their families. The Neem Foundation and Hedayah reaffirmed their commitment to providing similar training to additional organisations.
Participants promised to pass on the training to their staff and use the knowledge to design and implement projects in the region.

Participants were given certificates of attendance, and a group photograph was taken to commemorate the event.