🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
CLEEN Foundation advocates community-led security for lasting peace in Plateau
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The CLEEN Foundation emphasized that sustainable peace in Plateau State hinges on communities actively participating in their own security. This assertion was made during a two-day citizens' engagement in Jos, aimed at enhancing community policing and resilience. The event, funded by the Open Society Foundation, gathered diverse stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, Operation Rainbow, government representatives, vigilante groups, media, civil society organizations, religious bodies, and community associations. Peter Maduoma, Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, stated that the initiative seeks to deepen collaboration and leverage existing community strengths, moving beyond mere problem identification. He highlighted that the meeting would focus on identifying community assets, informal safety relationships, and repositioning communities as proactive agents in their safety architecture, rather than reactive complainants. Maduoma, represented by Programme Manager Mrs. Chigozirim Okoro, stressed the importance of mutual accountability between citizens and security institutions for achieving sustainable peace. The forum's objectives include shifting community self-perception to active agents of safety, identifying resilience assets, and facilitating structured engagement between communities and partners. Participants, including a senior officer from the Plateau State Police Command and a senior official from Operation Rainbow, commended the initiative and pledged in
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WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley has reiterated his stance against fighting stablemate Moses Itauma, citing their shared trainer and gym as reasons for the impossibility of such a bout at this stage of their careers. Wardley, who is set to defend his WBO title against Daniel Dubois this summer, stated that his position remains unchanged despite indications from the WBO's Gustavo Olivieri that Itauma could be designated as the mandatory challenger. Wardley emphasized that a fight with Itauma is "much further down the road" due to their current training arrangements. Both fighters are trained by Ben Davison and regularly spar together. Wardley's ambitions are currently focused on facing top names in the division like Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua. Olivieri had previously mentioned that if the WBO committee votes, Itauma would be designated as the mandatory challenger, with the enforcement timeline yet to be determined, potentially immediately after the Wardley-Dubois fight or later. Itauma acknowledged the complications but left the door open for a potential fight, especially if Dubois wins. Itauma is preparing for a headline appearance at the O2 Arena on July 25, with his promoter Frank Warren promising a significant test. Itauma's recent victory over Jermaine Franklin, whom neither Anthony Joshua nor Dillian Whyte had stopped, drew considerable attention.
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Onyema Ekpenyong, a Lagos-based businessman, is appealing for the return of his elder brother, Andrew Ekpenyong's, body from South Africa. Andrew, a mechanic, relocated to South Africa in 2007 and was found dead in a mortuary after police reportedly searched his home. According to Onyema, Andrew received a phone call on a Sunday evening, went out, and never returned. Later that night, policemen searched his house, but his girlfriend and apprentice, who were present, stated nothing incriminating was found. The next morning, Andrew's associates were directed to a government mortuary where his body was found. The police claimed he died after falling while jogging, but witnesses reported seeing traces of handcuffs and wounds on his body, suggesting he was beaten to death. Onyema spoke with Andrew's girlfriend and apprentice, noting their answers were suspicious. Andrew's wife and children were not living with him at the time. The Nigerian community in South Africa has issued a press statement demanding a comprehensive investigation and an autopsy, but no arrests have been made. Onyema's mother, who last spoke with Andrew in March when he promised to visit Nigeria in December, is distraught. The family is seeking assistance from both the Nigerian and South African governments to bring Andrew's killers to justice and facilitate the return of his remains to Nigeria for burial.
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