By Israel Adamu, Jos
The African Peace Institute for Social Research (APISR) has called for stronger collaboration and mutual trust between citizens and security agencies to effectively address insecurity and promote lasting peace across Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day conference held on Monday in Jos, Plateau State, the Director-General of APISR, Professor Danladi Atu, emphasized that peace and stability can only be achieved through active community engagement and cooperation with law enforcement.
“The aim of this conference is to develop practical strategies that will bridge the gap between citizens and security agencies for safer and more cohesive communities,” Professor Atu said. “Citizens have a critical role to play in ensuring peace and stability, and collaboration is key.”
The event, titled “Community Security Initiatives for Sustainable Peace and Development in Africa,” brought together policymakers, security experts, and civil society leaders to discuss ways of strengthening local security frameworks.
Declaring the conference open, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC–Yobe North), who was represented by Professor Suleiman Mohammed, commended the organizers for convening a timely dialogue. He expressed optimism that the forum would produce actionable recommendations to sustain peace and drive development in Nigeria.
In his lead presentation, Brigadier-General John Temlong (rtd) advocated for inclusive and community-driven security initiatives that integrate traditional, civic, and institutional structures to promote peace and sustainable development.
Temlong stressed that long-term security depends on citizens’ involvement in intelligence sharing, vigilance, and trust-building with security agencies.
The conference was organized by APISR in collaboration with Connect Institute (UK), the Directorate for Advancement and Research, University of Abuja, and the Institute for Governance and Development Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Participants are expected to develop a set of policy recommendations to improve coordination between communities and security institutions, thereby enhancing stability and reducing conflicts across Africa.
