The physical session of the Citizens’ Assembly held in Minna, Niger State, has reinforced ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity across the North Central zone, as community representatives, security stakeholders and government officials converged to share first-hand experiences and strengthen collaborative responses.
The session brought together Assembly members and key stakeholders from 12 Local Government Areas—Mashegu, Edati, Shiroro, Agaie, Agwara, Gurara, Chanchaga, Kontagora, Rafi, Mariga, Munya and Borgu—creating a rare platform for grassroots voices to directly engage national policy processes on security.
Participants used the forum to document security challenges confronting their communities, including emerging threats and local dynamics, while also receiving briefings on steps being taken by the Federal Government to curb terrorist attacks and restore peace across the North Central region and other parts of the country.
Speaking on the importance of the engagement, the convener, Abiodun Essiet. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central) described the Citizens’ Assembly as a critical feedback mechanism designed to ensure that government interventions are informed by the lived realities of citizens, particularly those in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.
Following the session, a series of high-level courtesy visits were paid to key security officials in the state. These included the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Maurice Bello Magaji; the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman; and the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Usman Bello Ibrahim.
During the meetings, feedback and insights gathered from the Citizens’ Assembly were formally presented to the security chiefs, with discussions focused on aligning strategies, improving intelligence sharing, and strengthening coordinated actions to protect lives and property across Niger State.
The engagements underscored the growing emphasis on community-driven security architecture, where local intelligence and citizen participation are seen as vital tools in addressing complex security challenges.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains resolute in his commitment to safeguarding every Nigerian, regardless of location, and continues to prioritise inclusive, people-centred approaches to national security.
The Minna session of the Citizens’ Assembly is expected to feed into broader policy reviews and operational adjustments, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to restore peace and stability across Niger State and the wider North Central region.
