The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo command, has urged residents of the state to embrace dialogue, avoid violence, and promote peaceful coexistence.

The state commandant of the NSCDC, Gbenga Agun, made the call on Monday in Benin City shortly after his personnel staged a peace march to mark the 2025 International Day of Peace.

The event, organised by the command’s peace and conflict resolution unit, brought together officers, civil society groups, and peace advocates under the United Nations theme: ”Act Now for a Peaceful World.”

Mr Agun said the corps’ mandate was beyond security enforcement to promote civility and human rights.

“As our name goes – Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps – our duties and functions entail enforcing laws with civility and not forcefully. We enforce minimum force. We are civil in our actions. In Edo State, we try as much as we can to avoid violence, because when there is peace, there will be development,” he said.

Similarly, head of the peace and conflict resolution unit, Uchegbu Evaristus, explained practical ways of resolving disputes before they escalate.

He said that arbitration, mediation, or negotiation were the best options for resolving disputes, adding that a minute spent on quarrelling over a sachet of pure water could destroy peace if not handled.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Patience Agbonifo underscored the importance of peace, saying that it was the responsibility of all to ensure it reigns.

”Peace enhances health and well-being. It reduces stress, anxiety, and trauma. It also facilitates development. Rather than spending money repairing the damage caused by war and violence, such funds should go into building infrastructure,” she said.

Ms Agbonifo, who is a superintendent of corps in the command, listed principles of peace to include compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, and prayer, stressing that it was never optional.

In the same vein, Deputy Coordinator of Partners for Peace (P4P) in Edo State, Maria Okoh, pledged stronger collaboration with the corps in tackling emerging crises in the state.

Ms Okoh urged officers of the corps to spread the message of peace.

”Whatever you hear today, take it back to your homes, offices, and business places. We have come to speak peace today,” she said. 

(NAN)