EWOMI President Attends NNNGO Seminar on Policing Protest Toolkit

Abuja, Nigeria – The Founder and President of Elijah’s Widows and Orphans Mission (EWOMI), Ambassador Elijah Obaka John, was among the participants at a high-level seminar organized by the Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO). The event focused on the launch and discussion of the Policing Protest Toolkit, a groundbreaking initiative designed to promote civic space and guide constructive engagement between citizens and law enforcement agencies.

The toolkit was developed by NNNGO as part of Nigeria’s Open Government National Action Plan (NAP III) commitments, particularly Commitment 12, which addresses the protection and promotion of civic space. It provides a framework to encourage reflection, dialogue, and collaboration between the police and civil society on how protests are managed in Nigeria.

Speaking at the seminar, NNNGO emphasized that the toolkit was not created to instruct the police but to foster critical thinking, discussion, and even healthy disagreements about protest management in a democratic setting. The toolkit reflects the voices of citizens, civil society organizations, communities, and retired police officers who have experienced or studied protest policing in Nigeria over the past decade.

According to NNNGO, the Policing Protest Toolkit is designed to help police formations across the country review and refine their strategies, ensuring protests are managed in line with democratic principles while guaranteeing the constitutional rights of citizens and the safety of officers.

The seminar also highlighted how protests in Nigeria have evolved, with spontaneous demonstrations such as #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance being organized through online platforms, reaching global audiences via live coverage. These new trends make it critical for security agencies to adapt, develop responsive strategies, and maintain trust with citizens.

NNNGO expressed appreciation to Heinrich Böll Stiftung for supporting the production of the toolkit and acknowledged the contributions of 30 representatives from civil society, academia, retired police officers, and the Open Government Partnership in Nigeria, whose input shaped the final document.

Ambassador Elijah Obaka John praised the initiative, describing it as “a vital step toward ensuring that citizens’ rights are protected while fostering a safe environment for both protesters and law enforcement officers.” He also reaffirmed EWOMI’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance civic engagement and human rights in Nigeria.

The Policing Protest Toolkit is now available for use by police formations across Nigeria, with the hope that it will inspire a more collaborative and human rights-centered approach to protest management nationwide.