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Nigeria Peace Web: CORN West Africa Launches Digital Platform to Document Peacebuilding Efforts

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The Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN West Africa) says it will launch a digital platform designed to document peacebuilding efforts across Nigeria and make them more visible to policymakers, researchers and the public.

The platform, called the Nigeria Peace Web (NPW), will be presented during a User Engagement Dialogue scheduled for Wednesday, 11 March 2026, in Abuja.

The event will take place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation and is expected to bring together peacebuilding actors, civil society groups, researchers and government officials.

Why it matters

According to CORN West Africa, global discussions about security often focus heavily on conflict statistics, while peace initiatives happening within communities receive little attention.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Timpreye Felix Allison, said the imbalance has limited understanding of how communities are working to resolve conflicts.

“Peace and peacebuilding activities deserve the same visibility and analytical attention that conflicts and insurgencies currently receive in global discourse,” Dr Allison said.

“Across many communities in Nigeria and West Africa, peace initiatives are happening every day, yet they are rarely documented in ways that inform research, policy, or public understanding.”

The project is supported by funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) under the SPRiNG Programme.

Dr Allison said the platform aims to provide verified data to help inform policy decisions and strengthen peacebuilding programmes.

“The goal of this platform is simple,” he added. “If conflict data matters for policy and research, peace data should matter as well.”

A region facing rising insecurity

Security challenges remain widespread across West Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions.

Research by the Small Arms Survey estimates that more than 11 million illicit small arms are circulating across West Africa.

Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reports that small arms and light weapons account for over 70% of weapons used in violent conflicts across the region.

Nigeria has been heavily affected by these trends.

Investigations by Amnesty International indicate that more than 10,000 people were killed in attacks by armed groups and criminal gangs in northern and central Nigeria between 2023 and 2025.

The violence involves multiple actors, including insurgents linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as armed bandit groups and kidnapping syndicates.

Since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, humanitarian estimates suggest that over 40,000 people have been killed and about two million displaced in Nigeria’s north-east.

States such as Plateau State, Kaduna State, and Katsina State have experienced persistent violence linked to banditry, communal tensions and kidnappings.

Peace work happening quietly

Despite the ongoing security challenges, Dr Allison said communities across Nigeria are actively working to prevent violence and resolve disputes.

Traditional rulers, youth groups, civil society organisations and faith-based institutions are often involved in mediation and reconciliation initiatives.

“The reality is that peace work is happening quietly in many communities,” he said.

“Traditional leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups, and faith institutions are constantly mediating disputes and promoting dialogue. These efforts deserve to be documented and amplified.”

The Nigeria Peace Web platform aims to map these activities by collecting credible reports from researchers, journalists and civil society organisations.

What the platform will do

CORN West Africa says the platform will document peace events, actors and beneficiaries across Nigeria.

The information will help policymakers understand which community interventions are working and where additional support may be needed.

The platform is the main output of the Nigeria Peace Actors and Initiatives in Data (NPAID) project.

The pilot phase currently covers Plateau, Kaduna and Katsina states, with plans to expand to all 36 states of Nigeria.

What happens next

The User Engagement Dialogue in Abuja will allow potential users of the platform to test the system and suggest improvements.

Participants will include peacebuilding organisations, NGOs, researchers, policymakers, members of the diplomatic community and security sector representatives.

Dr Allison said the goal is to ensure the platform meets the needs of those working on peacebuilding in Nigeria.

“By mapping peace events, actors, and beneficiaries through credible reports from academia, journalists, and civil society organisations, we aim to strengthen knowledge sharing and support evidence-based peacebuilding.”

Security

Gateway Polytechnic Students Set to Tackle Campus Safety, Leadership at SWAT 1.0 Conference

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Students at Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, are set to discuss campus security, welfare, academic development and leadership at a student-led conference aimed at preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.

The SWAT 1.0 Students’ Conference, organised by the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG), is scheduled for Friday, 9 October 2026, at the Leadership Auditorium.

The conference is themed “Preparing Students for a Purposeful Future While Navigating Campus with Excellence.”

The Ogun State Police Command has endorsed the initiative, particularly its focus on security awareness and constructive engagement between students and law enforcement.

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Why the conference matters

Unlike programmes focused solely on academic performance, the SWAT conference brings together five areas of student development — Security, Welfare, Academics, Training and Seminar.

Organisers say the objective is to give students practical guidance, leadership skills and positive values that can help them navigate campus life while preparing for their future careers and responsibilities.

For tertiary institutions, the relationship between students and security agencies can be an important part of maintaining a peaceful learning environment.

The conference therefore provides an opportunity for students to engage with security authorities beyond enforcement, including discussions around responsible conduct, peaceful coexistence and security consciousness.

Police back student-led security dialogue

The Ogun State Police Command said it supports programmes that promote constructive Police-Student relations and safer academic environments.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 7 October, the Command commended the SUG President and host/convener, Comr. Akinpelu B. Timothy, and his executive team for organising the conference.

The Command said its participation reflects its commitment to supporting student-centred initiatives that encourage peaceful coexistence and responsible behaviour.

Beyond security: what students stand to gain

The organisers’ SWAT framework extends beyond policing.

The inclusion of welfare and academics alongside training and seminars means the conference is designed to address some of the wider issues students encounter during their time in higher education.

Leadership development is also central to the initiative, with student organisers seeking to encourage participants to take greater responsibility for their conduct, relationships and future plans.

This could make the event particularly relevant to students preparing to transition from campus into workplaces and wider society.

A different conversation about campus safety

The police endorsement also places student-police engagement at the centre of a conversation that is often dominated by incidents after they occur.

By creating a platform for dialogue before problems arise, initiatives such as the SWAT conference can help students better understand security responsibilities while giving authorities an opportunity to engage directly with young people in an academic setting.

However, the long-term value of such programmes will depend on whether conversations translate into sustained engagement and practical improvements in campus safety.

What happens next

The SWAT 1.0 Students’ Conference will hold from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 9 October 2026, at the Leadership Auditorium of Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade.

The Ogun State Police Command said it would continue to support initiatives that contribute to safe, peaceful and conducive learning environments across tertiary institutions in the state.

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Lagos Police Probe Wider Cyberbullying Claims Against Clerics After Arrest

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The Lagos State Police Command is investigating a series of allegations of online attacks against religious clerics following the arrest of a Lagos-based man accused of repeatedly making disparaging remarks about clerics and their beliefs.

The suspect, identified as Saheed Teyinbo, popularly known as “Alfasuna”, was arrested by police operatives after complaints were lodged against him by at least two religious figures, according to a police source.

The development has prompted the command to look beyond the initial complaints as investigators await possible reports from other people who may have been affected by similar alleged online activities.

Police trace suspect following complaints

Teyinbo, who is said to reside in Alakuko, Lagos, was reportedly tracked down by operatives following petitions submitted to the command.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, subsequently directed detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, to investigate the allegations.

One of the petitions was reportedly submitted by Prophet Israel Oladele, popularly known as “Prophet Genesis”, a pastor of the Celestial Church.

Oladele allegedly accused Teyinbo of making disparaging comments about him and his religious beliefs.

A second complaint was reportedly filed by Alhaji Sheikh Dr Hammed Olanrewaju Alfulanny, an Islamic scholar based on Yaya Abatan Road, Ogba, Lagos.

He similarly alleged that the suspect made offensive remarks about him and his religious beliefs.

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Alleged Kwara connection

The investigation may extend beyond Lagos, as police sources said Teyinbo was also allegedly wanted in Kwara State.

According to the source, a warrant of arrest had reportedly been issued against him in connection with alleged cyberbullying complaints involving other religious clerics.

The police have not publicly disclosed the identities of those additional complainants or provided details of the allegations attributed to them.

Police seek more alleged victims

The Lagos Command is now reportedly profiling the suspect while awaiting further complaints that could help investigators establish the scale and circumstances of the alleged cyber offences.

A police source said the suspect had been interrogated and allegedly confessed to the offences.

However, any alleged confession remains part of the police investigation and would need to be tested through due legal process.

The command is also expected to gather evidence from the complainants and other relevant parties before determining the next legal step.

“All relevant parties will be given the opportunity to present their evidence before the matter is brought before a court.”

The police source said the investigation would be conducted professionally and that the command would seek to establish the facts before the case is taken to court.

What happens next?

The immediate focus of the investigation is expected to be the complaints already filed against the suspect and any additional evidence that may emerge.

If investigators establish sufficient grounds, the suspect could be taken before a court, where the allegations would be formally tested.

Until then, the allegations against Teyinbo remain unproven.

The case also highlights the challenge faced by law-enforcement authorities in dealing with alleged online harassment and cyberbullying, particularly where social media activity involves public figures, religious leaders and disputes over beliefs.

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NSCDC Anambra Seeks Stronger Public Trust, Citizen Feedback

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has called for stronger cooperation between its officers and residents as it marks the 2026 Customer Service Week.

The Command said the week-long observance, which runs from October 5 to 9, provides an opportunity to listen to citizens, respond to their concerns and strengthen public confidence in the security agency.

State Commandant, Commandant Maku Olatunde, said public feedback would remain important to the Command’s efforts to improve its services and deepen its relationship with communities across Anambra.

“We value and recognize that public trust is vital to the discharge of our responsibilities, and this encourages us to prioritize public feedback in our ongoing efforts to enhance our services.”

Why the week matters

The 2026 Customer Service Week is being observed under the theme, “Going the Extra Mile,” which the NSCDC said highlights the importance of making additional efforts to meet public expectations.

Rather than limiting the observance to internal activities, the Anambra Command said its officers would engage directly with members of the public throughout the week.

The engagements are expected to provide opportunities for residents to raise concerns, seek assistance and interact with personnel of the Corps.

For a security organisation whose work depends partly on cooperation with communities, the Command said building trust and maintaining open communication remain essential to its responsibilities.

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NSCDC links security to community cooperation

Commandant Maku said the relationship between the Corps and the public should be viewed as a shared responsibility.

“The NSCDC is the society and the society is the NSCDC.”

He said a peaceful and secure environment was necessary for communities to pursue social, economic and political activities.

According to him, the Command has strengthened partnerships with stakeholders and introduced community-oriented approaches in response to changing security needs across the state.

Command asks residents to report concerns

The State Commandant also appealed to residents to continue working with security agencies to maintain peace and order.

He encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities or security concerns to the nearest NSCDC formation.

The Command said continued cooperation from residents would help support its efforts to maintain peace and stability across Anambra.

Maku also expressed appreciation to residents for what he described as their continued cooperation, trust and support.

“We sincerely appreciate the people of Anambra State for their continued cooperation, trust and support, which are crucial in fostering peace and stability within our communities.”

What’s next

The Customer Service Week activities will continue until Friday, October 9, with the Command expected to maintain its focus on public engagement and service delivery.

The observance places citizen interaction alongside the Command’s broader security responsibilities, with the NSCDC saying it remains committed to accountability, professionalism and respect for citizens’ human rights.

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