Akwa ibom: The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced substantial progress in strengthening community trust, communication, and accountability through its Mutual Accountability and Community Scorecard (MACS) Initiative. Police Public Relations Officers (PPRO) highlighted these developments during a two-day workshop on building trust and promoting police reforms organized by International Alert in collaboration with the NPF.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop, themed ‘Strengthening Police-Community Relations for Effective and Accountable Policing in Nigeria,’ was supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The community scorecard serves as a social accountability tool, enabling service seekers and security providers to mutually assess and collaborate.
CPS Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer, remarked that the workshop represents a continuation of a shared journey between the NPF and International Alert, aimed at fostering a stronger relationship between the police and the communities they serve. Hundeyin, represented by Deputy FPPRO CPS Victor Isuku, emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration in creating safer communities.
Hundeyin highlighted that accountability is a two-way street and that lasting security is achieved through collaboration rather than confrontation. He urged youths to familiarize themselves with the Police Act 2020, which addresses community concerns, including stereotyping and issues related to bail and search procedures. Additionally, the NPF has enhanced its personnel and created complaint response units for easier access to redress.
DSP Maureen Chinaka of the Abia Command noted that the MACS initiative has been pivotal in moving away from blame games toward unity and shared responsibility for security. The initiative has bolstered collaboration between police and local communities, improving response to citizens’ concerns and enhancing public trust.
CSP Ahmed Wakil of the Bauchi Command shared that the initiative has provided a data-driven framework for identifying crime trends, particularly focusing on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This has led to higher prosecution and conviction rates for SGBV cases, marking a significant achievement in justice and police-community collaboration.
International Alert’s Board of Trustees Chairman, David Nussbaum, stated that the organization supports reforms that make security more community-driven. He emphasized that initiatives like the MACS bridge divides and rebuild trust in public institutions. Country Director Kingsley Udo reiterated the importance of a transparent and accountable policing system and highlighted the positive impact of the MACS initiative across several Nigerian states.
The workshop, which also received commendations from Akwa Ibom’s Ministry of Information, is expected to deepen understanding of police reforms and strengthen partnerships between the police and communities. The Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, Edidem III, Clement Ekpeyong, underlined the importance of improving police welfare to enhance their performance.