The Benue Government, in collaboration with Lawyers Alert, on Friday unveiled a community policing project impact documentary/lesson dissemination.
Unveiling the documentary in Makurdi, the state Deputy Governor, Dr Sam Ode, said security remains everybody’s business.
Ode, who was represented by Mrs Felicia Alubo, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, said all citizens must get involved in the security fight.
The deputy governor said Lawyers Alert have done tremendous work to enlighten the people, especially the locals, on the need to have confidence in the security apparatus of the nation for improved peace.
He said the locals and the security agencies must improve their relationship and build confidence for seamless information gathering.
Earlier, Lazarus Mom, Lawyers Alert Project Manager, said community policing was the only way to address the lingering security challenges in the state and Nigeria at large.
Mom explained that there was every need to open doors to allow citizens to support the security challenges in the state.
He said Lawyers Alert was committed to supporting the state with all the technical knowledge to address the security challenges.
Mom explained that the project was implemented in Katsina-Ala and Guma Local Government Areas (LGAs) because of the different security challenges within the two LGAs, lasted for two years.
“At present, Lawyers Alert is implementing a project titled “Empowering Community Policing Committees Towards a Rights-Based Approach to Security Sector Governance and Accountability in Nigeria.
“This initiative is being carried out within Katsina-Ala and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue State.
“The project has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) in these locations.
“The CPCs comprise key security stakeholders such as the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, and Benue Volunteer Guards, as well as community gatekeepers, including local government representatives, traditional leaders, women, and youth,” he added.
According to him, the committees’ capacities have been strengthened in critical areas such as human rights, security sector accountability, and early warning and early response mechanisms, thereby promoting inclusive and rights-based security governance.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Joseph Har, said insecurity was becoming high and there was a need to teach the citizens how to live and work in an unsecured environment.
Har further urged the citizens to always remain anonymous anytime they give information to the security agencies for their own safety.
