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CIVIC ORGANIZES ADVOCACY MEETING ON CIVILIAN PROTECTION IN MADAGALI


By Usman Mohammed Jimeta.

Governments at all levels, non governmental organizations, NGOs and the wealthy individuals have been urged to intensify efforts towards providing jobs opportunities and skills acquisition centers to engage the teeming unemployed youths, in order to ameliorate the security threats affecting the society and ensure effective civilian protection.

Those were some of the outcomes of a two day round table advocacy meeting held on the 25th and 26th day of August, 2025 at the board room of Madagali LGA of Adamawa State.

With the theme "strengthening community led security and alert system", the gathering brought together personnel from security agencies, civil society organizations, media practitioners, religious and traditional leaders numbering  twenty three participants, to discuss the strategies towards tackling security threats and enhancing civilian protection.

In her opening remarks, the community liaison officer of the Center for Civilians in Conflict,  CIVIC, in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State, Mrs Blessing Philip, explained that the organisation operates in several countries, including Nigeria, with offices in states such as Adamawa.

She said, "Our programmes are designed to protect civilians in conflict zones by enhancing civil-military relations and promoting community-based protection mechanisms." 


Another Community Liaison Officer, Mr. Idris Ahmed Yuguda, said the roundtable, held under the theme" Strengthening Community-led Security and Alert System," was aimed at bringing stakeholders together to share lessons and reduce harm to civilians.

He noted, "Issues such as harassment of civilians by some security personnel, drug abuse among youths, unemployment, Seizing motorcycles, kidnapping, restrictions of petrol and food insecurity among others made this meeting necessary." 

 

On behalf of the local government, the Secretary to the Madagali Local Government Council, Mr. Nako Z. Kwaji, stressed that awareness creation and employment opportunities were vital in tackling the already mentioned security threats in the council area.

According to him, "The council is committed to supporting initiatives that will empower youths and create platforms for peace and development across the local government." 

Kwaji urged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the discussions towards improving their communities, adding that  "the success of the programme depends largely on how participants utilize the outcomes." 

Also speaking, Assistant Superintendent of Corps in the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Idris Saidu, dismissed claims that security agencies in the area were unjust.

He cautioned,  "Security threats and the security personnel must not traumatize residents, and locals should promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency." 

 *CIVIL DEFENSE* 

From the youths' perspective, Abba Yusuf, Team Lead of the Community-Based Protection Network supported by the Norwegian Refugee Council, NRC, said they discussed and developed solutions to address concerns raised during the meeting.

He explained, "the strategies include awareness on rights and privileges, sensitization for community members, and advocacy to security personnel." 

Representing women, Hadiza Audu, a Sectional Aide Information Officer, lamented the challenges faced by residents in the area, noting that insurgency had hindered their social and economic activities.

She added, "The complaints over the conduct of some security personnel further justify the need for this kind of meeting." 
The meeting ended with a call for deeper collaboration between communities and security agencies, as well as stronger investment in local structures that can help rebuild trust, restore livelihoods and ensure lasting peace in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State.

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