CLEEN Foundation urges renewed police-citizen trust at Benue Police-Community Dialogue

By Johnson Arua

The CLEEN Foundation has called for deeper collaboration and restored trust between the Nigeria Police Force and citizens, emphasizing that effective security can only be achieved through shared responsibility.

Speaking at a two-day Citizens’ Engagement on Community Policing Practice and Reform Agenda in Makurdi, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Peter Maduoma, described the forum as a strategic platform to rebuild public confidence in policing and promote community-driven security solutions.

“It is a profound honour to welcome you all to this pivotal engagement. Security is not a solo performance by the police, but a symphony co-produced by the police and the people,” Maduoma said.

He acknowledged that while the Police Act 2020 provides a legal framework for reform, states like Benue continue to grapple with persistent security threats, including banditry, communal conflicts, and farmer-herder tensions.

“The lived reality remains challenging. The pressure on our policing institutions has never been greater,” he noted.

Maduoma identified mistrust and weak communication channels between the police and communities as major obstacles to effective policing. According to him, poor feedback systems often leave citizens feeling alienated and officers feeling unsupported.

“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.

He explained that the dialogue was intentionally structured to produce practical outcomes rather than mere complaints. The first day, he said, provided a safe space for citizens, youth groups, civil society organisations, and traditional leaders to share honest experiences, while the second day focused on direct engagement with the Police Command.

“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,” Maduoma stated.

He further observed that the presence of new leadership within the state police command presents an opportunity for meaningful reform.

“We now have a leadership that understands the problems but requires guidance and context-specific interventions,” he said.

Addressing police officers at the event, Maduoma urged them to embrace constructive criticism. “See the feedback provided today not as an attack, but as a blueprint for institutional excellence,” he appealed.

He also challenged citizens and civil society groups to promote responsible engagement and accurate information, warning that misinformation can undermine security efforts.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Your role as intermediaries is vital for managing expectations and curbing misinformation,” he added.

Expressing optimism about the outcome of the engagement, Maduoma said a trusted police force remains central to democratic stability.

“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,” he said.

The dialogue is expected to produce actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening police reform and deepening collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities across Benue State.