From Attah Ede, Makurdi
In response to the ongoing insecurity and violent crises across Benue State, stakeholders, have adopted a one year implementation plan on People- Centered Public Safety” (Community Policing) anchored by a Civil Society Organizations, Lawyers Alert in the State.
The decision to adopt the plan was taken at the stakeholders engagement and reflection meeting focusing on reviewing current community policing in some parts of the State organised by Lawyers Alert in Makurdi, the State capital.
The meeting brought together diverse stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Government Authorities, Benue State Peace and Reconciliation Commission, and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard as well as the Media and 8 Consortium of Civil Society Organisations working on peace project in Benue and Bayelsa States.
The stakeholders reflected on the peace progress using Community Policing Committees (CPCs) in local government areas of Katsina-Ala and Guma, which act as mediators and advocates for community interests in policing activities.
They discussed the way forward, ensure community ownership, and promote a rights-based approach to security sector governance and accountability and thereafter accepted that the plan which has accommodated Agatu and Naka in Gwer west local government areas be adopted.
Many high-level representatives delivered goodwill messages reaffirming their support for community-driven peace initiatives leading to formation of a committee to organise a statewide reflection meeting heralding relaunching of the one year implementation plan slated for November, 2025.
The statewide reflection committee has the Nigeria Police, Bureau for International Development and Cooperation(BIDC), Homeland security, Benue State Peace Commission and CS consortium members.
While presenting the situational analysis of the project, the Senior Legal Officer, SLO, Lawyers Alert, Barr. Somto Ozubulu explained that the organisation had successfully conducted research in Katsina- Ala and Guma LGAs and design a template that all can use to achieve peace.
She further stated that due to the successes recorded in those areas, Lawyers Alert and it partners had expanded its implementation plan and added Agatu local government area to the existing two LGAs of Katsina- Ala and Guma.
According to her, there are so much concerns regarding insecurity going on Agatu, stating that the idea is that this project can be that template to help government solve the growing insecurity in the affected areas.
Barrister Ozubulu however concluded that the stakeholders engagement meeting served as a bold and timely intervention toward repositioning security in Benue State as everyone’s business.