In Bayelsa, 35 Security Operatives Undergo Security Training

From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa*

In an effort to promote a community-centered approach to transforming criminality and violence in the Nigeria Delta, Search for Common Ground wrapped up a three-day refresher capacity building program for government security forces this weekend.

The program, held at Doncont Homes and Apartments in Yenagoa with the support of the European Union, brought together 35 security formations from various agencies to receive training on human-centered security principles.

The three-day training focused on foundation and ethical orientation, strategies and community relations, and advanced skills and practical applications.

Speaking about the importance of the training, Kengkeng Ati of the Search for Common Ground emphasised the need for security forces to take a human-centered approach to their operations.

“We are here to provide training and capacity building to government security forces. The idea is for us to share alternative dispute resolution strategies with agencies, as well as ethical approaches to helping them do their jobs better.

“This training is also intended to provide security forces with the skills and knowledge required to effectively engage with local communities, build trust, and promote a more inclusive and effective approach to addressing criminality and violence in the Nigeria Delta,” the representative stated.

Mr Phillip Kalio, the capacity building and training coordinator for the project titled “community-centered approach to transforming criminality and violence in the Niger Delta,” stated that the program is all about strengthening the capacity of government security agencies.

Kalio stated that the training focused on key areas such as unified command structures, real-time information sharing, and community engagement to assist them in containing and mitigating crime in society, as well as human-centered security principles to ensure that their operations do not violate the rights of the citizens where they work.

“The program is part of the organization’s efforts to foster peace and stability in the Niger Delta. The organisation hopes to reduce violence and promote a more inclusive and effective approach to addressing criminality in the region by providing human-centered security principles to security forces.

Participants also received hands-on training and applications of human-centered security principles.

A participant, Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Musa Mohammed, who appreciated the program facilitators, stated that the training had opened his eyes to how not to violate citizens’ rights.

“The program has opened my eyes to things I did not realise before. I am taking a step back now because I understand that citizens have rights that should not be violated.

The training was attended by security chiefs from a variety of agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Immigration Services,

Nigerian Corrections Services, Department of State Services, Federal Road Safety Corp, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.