Governance
PCPS Model Set for Statewide Expansion in Benue
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Benue State Government is set to expand the People-Centred Public Safety (PCPS) model to all 23 Local Government Areas of the state as part of efforts to strengthen community participation in security and public safety.
As part of the expansion, chairmen of the 23 local government councils will meet in Makurdi on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, to deliberate on the adoption and implementation of the model in their respective areas.
The engagement is being organised by the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security in partnership with Lawyers Alert under the platform of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State chapter.
The initiative builds on the implementation of the PCPS model in Guma, Katsina-Ala and Agatu LGAs, where Community Policing Committees (CPCs) have been established to strengthen community involvement in addressing security challenges.
The meeting will provide the council chairmen with an opportunity to examine lessons from the three pilot LGAs and determine how the CPC structure can be adapted to the specific security needs of their communities.
The PCPS model is designed to place residents at the centre of identifying and responding to safety concerns through early warning and response mechanisms, dialogue, mediation, information sharing and other locally driven solutions.
The state-wide expansion is expected to improve collaboration among local government authorities, communities, security agencies and other stakeholders in addressing security threats.
It is also expected to give residents a stronger voice in determining public safety priorities and developing responses to challenges affecting their communities.
A statement by Lawyers Alert President, Dr. Rommy Mom, said the engagement would help translate the state government’s adoption of the PCPS model into practical community-level action, while promoting citizens as active partners in building safer, peaceful and accountable communities.
The meeting is scheduled to hold in Makurdi on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.