By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue state government will formally launch a new security framework, the People-Centred Public Safety (PCPS) Programme as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between communities and formal security institutions.

President of Lawyers Alert, Dr. Rommy Mom who disclosed this Friday in Makurdi during a press conference ahead of the official launch slated for February 24, 2026, in Makurdi.

Describing PCPS as a “structured, community-driven public safety framework,” Dr. Mom emphasized that the initiative is designed to place citizens, particularly women, youth and vulnerable groups, at the centre of security governance.

“It is not a vigilante system. It is not parallel security. It is not political. Rather, PCPS is a lawful, rights-based approach to strengthening collaboration between communities and formal security institutions, grounded firmly within Nigeria’s legal framework,” he stated.

According to him, the programme derives legitimacy from the Nigeria Police Act 2020, especially provisions on community policing, intelligence sharing, partnership and public accountability.

“The Act explicitly recognizes that effective policing requires community participation, transparency and trust. PCPS operationalizes these principles in a practical, structured manner,” he said.

Dr. Mom noted that the framework aligns with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Act 2020, Nigeria’s human rights obligations, and the Benue State Government’s mandate to protect lives and property.

“Public safety cannot be achieved by force alone. It must be built on trust, accountability and partnership,” he stressed.

Addressing Benue’s Security Challenges
He observed that Benue State has faced persistent insecurity, including attacks on rural communities, displacement, farmer-herder conflicts, banditry and communal violence, which have strained relationships between communities and security agencies.

“The question we asked was simple: How do we rebuild trust while strengthening security effectiveness? The answer was People-Centred Public Safety,” he said.

Dr. Mom explained that the programme was first piloted in Katsina-Ala and Guma Local Government Areas, where Community Policing Committees, Early Warning and Early Response Hubs, structured dialogue platforms between citizens and security agencies, women-inclusive consultations, and rights-based reporting mechanisms were established.

He said the pilot recorded measurable outcomes, including improved information flow between communities and security actors, faster responses to threats, increased women’s participation in safety discussions, and reduced mistrust and panic fueled by rumours.

“Importantly, PCPS has demonstrated that when communities are treated as partners rather than suspects, intelligence improves and violence reduces,” he added.

He stated that following the pilot’s success, the initiative has now been extended to Agatu Local Government Area, another conflict-affected community.

Dr. Mom described the expansion as a transition “from pilot experimentation to structured institutionalization,” noting that it reflects both community demand and growing confidence from the Benue state government.

He said the official launch by Governor Hyacinth Alia would signify government ownership of the programme and an institutional commitment to rights-based security governance.

“This launch is not ceremonial. It represents government ownership of a tested security innovation and a public affirmation that security in Benue must be collaborative and accountable,” he said.

Addressing concerns about the limits of state governments in security matters, Dr. Mom argued that while Nigeria’s security architecture is federally structured, states could still strengthen coordination, enhance intelligence gathering and build trust-based frameworks that improve safety outcomes.

“Benue State is demonstrating leadership in operationalizing what the Nigeria Police Act already envisions,” he stated.
He called on traditional rulers, youth groups, women leaders, faith-based organisations and the media to support the institutionalization of PCPS.

“Security is not the responsibility of government alone. It is a shared civic duty,” he said, urging journalists to report responsibly and highlight positive community-security partnerships.

Dr. Mom described the initiative as more than a project saying “People-Centred Public Safety is not a project. It is a philosophy of governance. It is a bridge between citizens and the state. It is security with dignity. It is partnership over fear,” he added.

He invited citizens to support the state government as it moves to institutionalize the programme on February 24.

Also speaking at the event, the Head of Programmes at the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Barr. Ori Onum, commended Lawyers Alert for initiating the programme.

She said the initiative would help deepen citizens’ commitment to safeguarding lives and property in their communities.

“The PCPS will help bridge the gap that exists in ensuring community members commit to security and safety in their respective communities,” she noted.