Conflict
By Sarafina Christopher
Abuja, March, 2, 2026(NAN) The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the SPRiNG Project has partnered on conflict early warning and early response to address farmer-herder conflicts and climate-induced violence in Benue State.
IPCR and SPRiNG were in Benue state on an advocacy visit under the National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (NCEWERS) Project.
The SPRiNG Project, which supports the NCEWERS system, is sponsored by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Tetra Tech for IPCR.
IPCR, which disclosed this in a statement, also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening this development.
Describing Benue as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” IPCR notes that the state remains central to Nigeria’s food security and national stability. The Institute, however, acknowledged that Benue has continued to bear a disproportionate burden of farmer-herder conflicts, resource-based violence, and climate-related pressures.
Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution explains that the NCEWERS Project was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s early warning architecture in response to rising resource-based and climate-induced conflicts. The project builds on previous USAID-supported peace structures that benefited over 10,000 community members across four states.
According to IPCR, NCEWERS introduces an upgraded digital platform for real-time conflict data collection, geospatial mapping, and trend analysis, integrating climate-risk indicators into conflict monitoring systems.
IPCR added that verified reports are processed within 45 minutes through structured coordination between the Conflict Anticipation Section, Conflict Prevention Section, Early Warning Response Groups, and Community-Based Reconciliation Committees.
“Benue remains a priority location due to the prevalence of farmer-herder conflicts, land and resource competition, and climate variability affecting livelihoods and food security.”
The Institute emphasises that the challenge has not always been the absence of warning signs, but rather the absence of coordinated and timely responses.
IPCR stresses that while technology is vital, community trust and participation remain critical to preventing violence. “Communities must understand it. Communities must trust it. Communities must use it.”
The Institute notes that the advocacy visit focuses on strengthening public awareness campaigns, media engagement, and community outreach to ensure early warning leads to early action.
The Institute calls on the Benue State Government, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, media houses, youth and women leaders to actively partner with IPCR in amplifying the NCEWERS system.
IPCR further explaines that the project seeks to encourage early reporting through toll-free lines and SMS channels, counter misinformation that fuels retaliatory violence, and strengthen the participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups in early warning systems.
IPCR emphasises the need for state-level ownership, urging stakeholders to see NCEWERS not merely as a federal initiative, but as Benue’s conflict prevention system.
The Institute notes that the project is being institutionalised within IPCR structures for long-term sustainability.
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