UNDP recently trained the Civilian Joint Taskforce (CJTF) and vigilante groups who are involved in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. The training which focused mainly on human rights and leadership held for two weeks in Jos, Plateau State and drew participants from the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Over 500 former fighters participated in this training that was conducted to provide a basic level of civic understanding and build capacity in critical skills that will allow members of CJTF and vigilante groups to improve their civil and social engagements and to function better in civilian life.

Addressing the participants at the closing ceremony of the programme, UNDP Officer-in-Charge, Frederick Ampiah, stated that that Boko Haram has left the region and its people with huge negative impact, adding that UNDP was not about to relent in its efforts to ensure that the region is liberated.

Ampiah, added that the training was also geared towards guaranteeing peace and stability, activating the local economy of the region as well as making the beneficiaries economically viable.

Since 2017, UNDP has, under this project, supported the Nigerian government in efforts aimed at stabilising local communities that were devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency – this has been done through the provision of support in four inter-related areas: livelihoods, security, basic services, and emerging local governance.

A key component of the project focuses on reintegration of former fighters and CJTF members and vigilante groups back into their communities. Successful reintegration requires putting in place the necessary preparatory and supporting structures for both the former fighters and the receiving communities. This is being achieved through a range of integrated activities that aim at improving human security, reconciliation, prevention of violence, enhanced local government’s accountability and citizen engagement in service delivery, and self-reliance of communities.

The CJTF was formed in 2013 to protect communities in north-east Nigeria and to support the country’s security forces in the fight against Boko Haram.

UNDP recognizes that sustainable community stabilization and resilience-building can only be achieved through coordinated interventions in communities within the same LGAs, thereby promoting the establishment of community resilience networks within and across conflict-affected communities.