By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The CLEEN Foundation has urged stronger cooperation and mutual trust between the Nigeria Police Force and citizens as it convened a two-day Citizens’ Engagement on Community Policing Practice and Reform Agenda in Benue state.

Welcoming participants in Makurdi, Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Peter Maduoma described the forum as a critical step toward rebuilding confidence in policing and strengthening community-driven security efforts.

Maduoma pointed out that “security is not a solo performance by the police, but a symphony co-produced by the police and the people.”

He noted that although the Police Act 2020 laid out a roadmap for reform, states such as Benue continue to face complex security realities, including banditry, communal clashes, and strained farmer-herder relations. “The lived reality remains challenging. The pressure on our policing institutions has never been greater,” he stated.

Maduoma stressed that mistrust and weak communication channels between the police and communities have continued to hinder effective policing.

“When communication is weak and feedback mechanisms are non-existent, the policed feel isolated and the police feel unsupported. This engagement is designed to bridge that gap,” he said.

According to him, the two-day dialogue was structured to move beyond complaints and focus on practical solutions. He explained that the first day created a safe space for citizens, civil society groups, youth, and traditional leaders to share candid experiences, while the second day was designed as an interface session with the Police Command.

He said, “Our goal is to develop a Charter of Demands that clearly outlines expectations for police professionalism and defines the community’s role in supporting oversight. We are not here to trade blames; we are here to trade ideas.”

He added that with new leadership in place within the police command, constructive engagement was essential. “We now have a leadership that understands the problems but requires guidance and context-specific interventions,” he noted.

Addressing officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Maduoma called for openness to feedback. “See the feedback provided today not as an attack, but as a blueprint for institutional excellence,” he urged.

He also challenged citizens and civil society organisations to play their part in promoting accurate information and responsible engagement. “Security is a shared responsibility. Your role as intermediaries is vital for managing expectations and curbing misinformation,” he said.

Maduoma expressed optimism that the dialogue would strengthen the foundation of community policing in Benue noting that “a trusted police force is the bedrock of a stable democracy. By the end of this engagement, we hope to see a renewed commitment to a community policing model that is transparent, accountable and people-centred.”

The engagement is expected to culminate in recommendations aimed at deepening police reform and enhancing collaboration between law enforcement and communities across the state.

The event drew the Benue State Commissioner of Police, traditional and religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations, women-led groups, the media among others.