Strengthening Inclusive Peacebuilding and Access to Justice in Northwest Nigeria
Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), with support from the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), implemented a nine-month intervention (concluding in February 2026) across six Local Government Areas in Katsina and Kebbi States—Kaita, Katsina, Jibia, Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, and Jega.
The project addressed the severe security crisis in Northwest Nigeria marked by armed banditry, kidnapping, and inter-communal violence by focusing on the safety and protection of women and marginalised populations through inclusive peacebuilding and justice reform.
Key Achievements include:
Legal Support and Detention Reform: Through the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS), a network of 20 trained lawyers provided pro bono legal services across both states. They recorded 1,101 detainees, conducted 744 initial interviews, and facilitated the release of 473 individuals through bail or direct police intervention.
Capacity Building: Training programs significantly improved the response of law enforcement; for instance, workshops for police officers transformed their understanding and management of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases.
Transformative Family Learning: The Gender Action Learning System (GALS) reached 35 households, empowering participants to resolve family disputes and promote gender equality at the domestic level.
Community-led Peacebuilding: Six Community Safety Partnership (CSP) platforms were established, bringing together 130 community members, security actors, and local leaders. These functional structures successfully integrated women into male-dominated security decision-making and intelligence-gathering processes.
