Writing by NASIR MALALI; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The Kukah Centre for Leadership and Faith has entered into a strategic research partnership with the Centre for Peace Studies CPS, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto aimed at identifying the various local Security outfits and their positive and negative impacts in ensuring Peace in the North-West zone.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after signing the agreement, the Project Manager of the Kukah Centre for Leadership and Faith, Mr. Bamber Terseer said the initiative aligns with the Centre’s commitment to strengthening community based security systems for accountable service delivery, especially during elections.
He said the Project which was titled improving community security initiative for accountability service delivery will also focus on raising awareness on critical issues of both historical and contemporary national importance, with a view to promoting active citizen engagement in good governance.
Terseer said the research will identified the effects that had resulted from the polarisation of informal security outfits with a view to designing effective pathways for peace and provide well informed local security policies recommendations that will ensure peaceful elections in the upcoming general elections.
He added that the Centre’s good governance programs seek to foster an informed and active electorate that recognizes the urgent need to participate in shaping government policies.
Addressing newsmen, the Director of the Usman Danfodiyo Centre for peace study, Professor Abdulkadir said the partnership would generate evidence-based findings on the legal frameworks guiding local security recruitment by state actors, while also interrogating operational limitations, funding sources and institutional support systems.
Prof. Abdulkadir said the research will further explore sensitive issues such as legitimacy, ethnic profiling and grey areas surrounding the growing presence of non-state security actors, with the aim of identifying gaps and proposing practical, lawful pathways forward.
He noted that community policing and local security initiatives have gained renewed attention as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
