CLEEN Foundation advocates community-led security for lasting peace in Plateau

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