The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, says it has resolved no fewer than 100 cases of communal crisis from January 2022 till date.
Dr Hammed Abodunrin, NSCDC State Commandant, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Akure.
Abodunrin said the move was to ensure that people lived with each other peaceful without any crisis or rancour in the society.
“So far, since January 2022, 204 cases were reported to us, and 100 cases have been resolved, while 104 cases are still pending.
“This shows that our efforts has yielded positive and it is effective because people are coming to tell us whenever they are aggrieved about issues, and we settle it without any racour or violence that could lead to injury or killing each other.
“People or communities must not lose hope because when you lose hope, you start becoming violent, so try as much as possible to approach civil defence peace and conflict management resolution unit,” he said.
The commandant said that the recent establishment of Grievances Management Centres in all the 18 local government areas of the state, had yielded positive results and kept yielding positively.
Abodunrin, explaining that some of his men were United Nations (UN) satisfied mediators, called on members of the public to report their grievances to the command without paying any fee for amicable resolutions.
He also said that the command’s personnel were able, capable and up to the task, to resolve any grievance among the people or community.
According to him, people should visit any local government close to them where issues could be tackled and resolved.
“The alternative resolution we are preaching that the commander general is interested in, is a win-win case where the parties involved will resolve and be happy with each other, not that somebody has won and somebody has lost.
“The crisis we have resolved comprises where communities fight over land issues, destruction of farmlands, farmers and herdsmen clashes, among others,” Abodunrin said.
He, therefore, appealed to members of the public to be vigilant, courageous and run away from any news item that could distablise the peace of their communities.
The NSCDC commandant, however, charged divisional officers and desk officers, who are Head of Peace and Conflict Management in any local government, to put more efforts and ensure there is peace in the community.
“This is an era where we hear about fake news items. Whatever you are reading and doubting that could this happen, then forget about it, because it’s not compulsory you feed yourself with news items that will make you panic.
“So, people should shun negative things about themselves and the community as a whole and run away from fake news,” he advised.