Yenagoa: The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has called for collaboration and trust-building between security agencies and communities in Bayelsa to address crime and insecurity effectively. The Executive Director of PIND, Mr. Sam Daibo, emphasized this need during the second phase of PIND’s social cohesion building programme held in Yenagoa.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Daibo, represented by Mr. Faith Etukudo, the event’s team lead, reiterated PIND’s dedication to fostering peace building, economic growth, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta. The programme aims to leverage multi-stakeholder partnerships to enhance cohesion between communities and security agencies in the area.

Mr. Daibo highlighted that peace and security partnerships thrive on trust. The initiative offers a structured space for dialogue, truth-telling, and joint peace actions, connecting communities and their protectors. The pilot phase commenced in 2024, with the second phase being implemented in 10 communities across five local government areas in Bayelsa, including Agbere, Ekeremor, Toru Ndoro, Odi, Igbomotoro, Opuama, Gbarain-Toru, and Agboa/Nedugo.

Mr. Solomon Diri, the Spokesman for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Bayelsa, stressed the importance of community support in fulfilling the corps’ mandate, which includes protecting critical assets, rights protection, and disaster management.

Similarly, Mr. Daniel Oba, the Public Relations Officer for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Bayelsa, pointed out that collaboration with the agency is crucial in combating drug-related crimes. He noted that drug misuse and abuse contribute to insecurity and violence, urging residents to provide credible intelligence.

DSP Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, praised PIND’s efforts to promote peace and security, aligning with the community policing strategy. He encouraged communities to support security agencies in tackling crime.

Chief Robert Bokolor, a community leader, described the programme as enriching, stating that it has enhanced understanding of the challenges faced by security officials in their communities.