Stakeholders at the Learning Exchange Workshop on the Mutual Accountability and Community Scorecard (MACS) Initiative reaffirmed that rebuilding trust between the Nigeria Police and local communities is essential to achieving peace, justice, and effective security in the country.
In submissions made during the two-day workshop held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, participants emphasised that welfare, transparency, collaboration, and responsible information management are central to transforming public perception, strengthening accountability, and advancing national security and community cohesion.
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Commitment to Peace and Collaboration
Addressing participants, the Board Chairman of International Alert, Mr David Nussbaum, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting trust, justice, and inclusion through peacebuilding initiatives across Nigeria.
Nussbaum stated that International Alert’s global mission of fostering peaceful solutions to conflict is being effectively demonstrated through its partnerships with the Nigerian Police Force and local communities.
“We believe that sustainable peace requires collaboration, transparency, and mutual accountability between the state and the people it serves,” Nussbaum said.
He commended the Nigeria Police Force, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and other partners for “their shared commitment to building a safer and more peaceful Nigeria,” adding that initiatives like the MACS framework are “helping bridge divides, improve communication, and rebuild trust in public institutions.”
Royal Father Advocates Police Welfare
Speaking at the event, the Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, Edidem III Clement Ekpenyong, urged the Federal Government to prioritise the welfare of police officers as a prerequisite for sustainable reform and rebuilding public trust.
“Before we talk about reform, we must first ensure that those who protect us are themselves protected and provided for,” he said.
The royal father stressed that meaningful reform must begin with improved welfare, logistics, and morale of officers, particularly those deployed at the grassroots.
He added: “Before we can reform policing relationships with the citizenry, we have to first recognise that the police are human beings… They stand on the streets every day, think about our safety day and night.”
Edidem Ekpenyong further called for a policy review that embeds welfare and operational readiness into Nigeria’s broader security reform agenda.
“We need to make consensual reform policies for the government. That is the best way to strengthen relationships between the police and the community,” he said.
Forging Police and Citizens’ Trust
The Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, DSP Timfon John, called for mindset reorientation among citizens to rebuild confidence between the police and the public.
“You have to see the police beyond the uniform. We are first humans before officers. We are not masquerades, so you shouldn’t be running away from us.” DSP John said.
She stressed that fear and misconceptions often drive public distrust, urging citizens to see the police as partners in safety rather than threats.
“If you don’t even think crime in your heart, I don’t see a reason why you see police and be running,” she added.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, described trust as “a two-way street,” emphasising that both the police and citizens must work together to deepen mutual understanding.
“You can’t even hold a policeman accountable if you don’t truly understand what a policeman is meant to be doing. Trust comes when citizens know their rights and the police live up to their codes of conduct,” he said.
Bauchi SGBV Impact Report
In a panel discussion on “Strengthening Police-Community Collaboration through the MACS Framework,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakili, highlighted the transformative impact of the initiative in addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
“With the coming of this initiative, women are now able to come out and voice their problems. So far, Bauchi State has recorded the highest prosecution and conviction of sexual and gender-based violence cases — that is an applause for Bauchi,” he said.
Wakili also commended the media’s role in sustaining community awareness and transparency.
“The media are with us 24 hours a day. No PR role works without the media — they are our partners in ensuring the public knows what we are achieving together,” he affirmed.
Commitment to Trust-Building
The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Victor Isuku, commended Police PROs across implementing states for their “commitment and clarity” in strengthening police-community relations under the MACS framework.
“When we talk about building trust, people must know they can come to us. If there’s no trust, citizens will not engage. And where they prefer to go to civil society groups, we must recognise that CSOs are vital partners in this work,” he said.
He cautioned against human rights abuses by security support vigilante groups and tactical units.
“If we do not correct wrong practices, public confidence will suffer. We need to show that the Nigerian Police is a people-serving institution. We must engage them and educate them,” he added.
In an interview with Voice of Nigeria, Isuku reaffirmed the IGP’s reform vision.
“A lot of ground has been covered — and this collaboration is proof of that progress. Under the leadership of the IGP, we are building a police force that is professional, service-driven, people-friendly, and rule-of-law compliant,” he said.
Information Management for Peace
In his closing submissions, the Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, Mr Kingsley Udo, stressed that sustainable peace depends on how information is managed and shared across communities.
“Conflict is part of human nature, but it can be managed in ways that promote healing and friendship,” Udo said. “We want the police not just as friends, but as family — the brother or sister next door.”
He identified responsible information management as the missing link in peacebuilding.
“We are not fully harnessing our potential to share accurate, unifying narratives,” Udo noted. “That’s why we plan to expand our programmes — building inclusive community dialogues where men, women, and young people can use information as a tool for peace.”
Stakeholders’ Consensus
Stakeholders comprising police public relations officers from across the country, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and youth leaders agreed that rebuilding trust begins with recognising the humanity behind the uniform.
They echoed that “the police are first and foremost human before they wear the uniform,” appealing, “Let’s create the enabling environment and support them to do their jobs effectively.”
They maintained that the nation’s security men and women are doing commendable work protecting lives and property, adding that collective support from all strata of society is needed to make Nigeria a safer place for all.
This collective call aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to strengthen citizen security through welfare, accountability, and collaborative peacebuilding across Nigeria.
Partnership Appreciation
As part of the event’s highlights, the Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, Edidem III Clement Ekpenyong, conferred the traditional chieftaincy title of “Eti Ufan”, meaning “Good Friend”, on the Board Chairman of International Alert, Mr David Nussbaum, in recognition of the organisation’s enduring partnership and contributions to peacebuilding and community trust initiatives across Nigeria.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Police-Community Relations for Effective and Accountable Policing in Nigeria,” was convened by International Alert Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).