October 29, (THEWILL) — The Spaces for Change (S4C) has intensified efforts to strengthen community resilience and public safety in Bayelsa State through its people-centred initiative, the Security and Rights Opportunity (SRO) Project, supported by the Open Society Foundations.
In partnership with Dataphyte Foundation, the project focuses on promoting local safety structures that enhance early warning systems, response mechanisms, and community resilience, especially in high-risk areas.
As part of the initiative, S4C held a series of stakeholder engagements in Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa Local Government Areas of the state.
The groups engaged included the Community Vigilante Group in Amassoma, Young Farmers in Nigeria (YOFIN), the Artisan Fishermen Association, and the Amada Ogbo Farmers’ Cooperative Society.
The engagement was built on findings from S4C’s earlier stakeholder mapping exercise, which identified the Amassoma Vigilante Group as a key first responder to theft, communal clashes, gender-based violence, and drug abuse.
However, the group highlighted a lack of knowledge of legal frameworks as a major challenge, requesting training to improve their handling of security matters and coordination with law enforcement agencies.
A trend analysis by Dataphyte using Nigeria Watch data showed that violence in Southern Ijaw between 2006 and August 2025 stemmed from socio-political, economic, and resource-related disputes. Land, oil, and political issues were identified as key drivers of conflicts.
During the session, the Young Farmers in Nigeria explained how their agricultural programmes engage youths, reduce idleness, and tackle crime by providing livelihood opportunities.
The Artisan Fishermen Association and Amada Ogbo Cooperative also shared how they promote self-reliance and economic growth to reduce vulnerabilities that often lead to violence.
S4C stated that it would empower the Amassoma Vigilante Group with training, uniforms, and identification cards, while supporting Young Farmers in Nigeria to expand their youth engagement programs.
“The Artisan Fishermen and Amada Ogbo Farmers’ Cooperative will also receive support to strengthen their livelihoods and boost community resilience.”
“These interventions align with the objectives of the People-Centred Public Safety (PCPS) Project, which seeks to enhance collaboration among community groups, reduce socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and build cohesive, safer communities in Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa.”
The project forms part of the People-Centred Public Safety (PCPS) Project, which brings together several organisations, including the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Dataphyte Foundation, Fixed, Lawyers Alert, Nextier, CLEEN Foundation, and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
