Man O' War Nigeria National Command

15/08/2026

Safe Schools Initiative Trains 3,000 Man O’ War Volunteers To Protect Schools

Walkyes Kwakfut

Nigeria's Safe Schools Initiative is turning to communities for help in protecting schools, training thousands of Man O’ War volunteers to identify and respond to threats around learning environments.

Protecting schools from security threats cannot depend solely on security agencies.

That is the thinking behind this training in Jos, where more than three thousand Man O’ War volunteers from across Nigeria are taking part in a seven-day capacity-building programme.

The National Coordinator of the Safe Schools Initiative, Halima Ilya, says communities hosting schools must play a greater role in keeping them safe.

She says integrating Man O’ War volunteers into the programme is intended to strengthen local capacity to identify risks and support efforts to prevent attacks on schools.

The National Coordinator of Man O’ War, Adedamola Gbenga, says the training will equip volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to help protect learning environments.

The programme, supported by the Plateau State Government, also involves personnel from security agencies.

Organisers say the aim is to build stronger links between communities and security agencies, creating an early layer of protection around schools before threats escalate.

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(Editor: Ada Ononye)

15/08/2026

3,000 MAN O’ WAR NIGERIA OFFICERS AND MEN UNDERGO INTENSIVE TRAINING IN READINESS FOR SAFE SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT

In a renewed demonstration of its commitment to strengthening community safety and supporting the implementation of the Safe School framework across Nigeria, approximately 3,000 officers and men of Man O’ War Nigeria from the 36 States, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Railway Commands are undergoing an intensive one-week capacity-building training at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Mountain School, Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State.

The training forms part of the organisation’s readiness towards its proposed engagement in community-based Safe School interventions and is designed to strengthen the capacity of Man O’ War personnel to operate effectively within diverse environments and respond appropriately to emergencies and security-related challenges around schools and host communities.

The comprehensive exercise combines land-surface, waterway and hill-terrain training, exposing participants to practical situations that require physical endurance, teamwork, discipline, situational awareness and effective decision-making. The programme recognises that schools and vulnerable communities across Nigeria are situated within different geographical environments, requiring volunteers to possess adaptable skills for effective community engagement.

Participants are also undergoing physical conditioning and mental alertness exercises, aimed at improving endurance, resilience, concentration, rapid response and the ability to remain composed while managing challenging situations. The combination of physical and mental preparedness is intended to ensure that personnel are better equipped to support communities during emergencies and other situations requiring organised volunteer intervention.

The waterway component of the training provides participants with practical exposure to safety considerations in riverine and aquatic environments, particularly in recognition of the vulnerabilities faced by communities where waterways form part of the daily transportation routes for children and other residents.

Similarly, the land and hill-terrain exercises are designed to strengthen mobility, endurance, navigation, teamwork and operational awareness in difficult terrains. These exercises are particularly relevant to community-based interventions in areas where schools and settlements are located within challenging geographical environments.

Speaking on the significance of the training, the National Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, NC Adedamola Gbenga mss, mipm, msr, fwip, stated that the organisation was strengthening its personnel because effective Safe School engagement requires volunteers who are physically prepared, mentally alert, disciplined and capable of working collaboratively with communities and relevant authorities.

He noted that the training goes beyond physical exercises, stressing that participants are being prepared to understand their communities, identify potential risks, promote preventive measures and support appropriate response mechanisms within the limits of their volunteer responsibilities.

The National Commander further explained that the nationwide structure of Man O’ War Nigeria provides an opportunity to take community-based safety awareness and resilience-building initiatives closer to schools and vulnerable communities. He emphasised that the organisation’s personnel would continue to work within established legal and institutional frameworks while supporting government agencies, security stakeholders and community structures.

The training also reinforces the importance of preparedness, early warning, community awareness, emergency response, leadership, discipline and collective responsibility in strengthening the safety of schools and their surrounding communities.

Man O’ War Nigeria recognises that school safety is a shared responsibility that requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, educational authorities, parents, traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations and responsible citizens.

The organisation therefore views the one-week training as an important step towards preparing its personnel for effective community engagement under the Safe School framework, particularly in vulnerable communities where environmental, security and emergency-response challenges may require additional preparedness.

The exercise further demonstrates Man O’ War Nigeria’s commitment to its core philosophy of building disciplined, responsible and resilient citizens capable of contributing positively to the safety and development of their communities.

At the conclusion of the training, the participants are expected to return to their respective State, FCT and Railway Commands with enhanced knowledge, physical preparedness, mental alertness and practical skills that can contribute to safer schools and more resilient communities across Nigeria.

Man O’ War Nigeria remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the Safe School Initiative, government institutions, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in advancing a coordinated and community-based approach to school safety.

Signed:

ANC IBRAHIM BELLO, MSS, DSM, FWIP
ANC Public Relations, Communication and Media
Man O’ War Nigeria
National Command Headquarters, Abuja

14/08/2026

MAN O’ WAR NIGERIA HOLDS 4TH NATIONAL CAMP IN JOS, STRENGTHENS SAFE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE FRAMEWORK

Man O’ War Nigeria has commenced its 4th National Camp at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Mountain School, Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State, with a renewed commitment to strengthening community-based safety, volunteer capacity, leadership development and resilience across Nigeria.

The opening ceremony brought together key stakeholders in the areas of education, community development, security and national resilience, including the National Coordinator of the Safe School Initiative Nigeria, Hajiya Halima Iliya Ibrahim, and Dr. Alero, representative of the Director-General, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) Ms Abiola Rinsola, representatives of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Aminu and other distinguished senior officers and personalities.

The National Coordinator of the Safe School Initiative Nigeria, Hajiya Halima Iliya Ibrahim, disclosed that the Federal Government was expanding its Safe Schools intervention beyond school premises to vulnerable host communities, borderland and riverine areas as part of efforts to strengthen security and resilience around learning centres across the country.

Ibrahim made this known while speaking at the 4th National Camp of Man O’ War Nigeria in Jos.

According to her, the approach was designed to address school security holistically by strengthening the communities where schools are located, stressing that school safety cannot be achieved without securing the wider environment.

She explained that Man O’ War Nigeria was being engaged as a strategic grassroots partner to help cascade the Safe Schools framework to communities and build the capacity of local actors to identify, prevent and respond to security threats.

She noted that the Federal Government launched the Safe Schools Plan in 2022, while full implementation of the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools commenced in 2023. She described the financing plan as a holistic and sustainable approach to addressing school safety challenges nationwide.

“One of the objectives is to cascade it down to the schools, state and community levels to strengthen the resilience of the entire host community because it is our collective responsibility.”

She further emphasised that the initiative was a multi-agency collaboration involving government institutions, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders working together to improve safety across the country.

Ibrahim disclosed that mapping of schools and communities was ongoing, with the initial strategy in Plateau State focusing on the three senatorial zones. She stressed that the exercise was not limited to school premises but was aimed at strengthening the resilience of entire host communities.

She also highlighted the importance of strengthening vulnerable borderland and riverine communities, noting that children in some riverine areas face additional risks because they have to travel through waterways in search of education.

The National Coordinator said the Federal Government would continue to collaborate with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant agencies to strengthen security around vulnerable communities.

She added that the involvement of security agencies and the Armed Forces demonstrated that the Safe Schools programme was being implemented as a national security and resilience strategy, rather than solely as an education-sector intervention.

According to her, the programme is coordinated through relevant government structures, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, while Safe Schools interventions have also been provided for in the 2026 national budget.

She stressed the importance of financial prudence, accountability and transparency in the implementation of the programme, noting that the Ministry of Finance remains the coordinating authority for its financing component.

Signed:

ANC IBRAHIM BELLO mss, dsm, fwip
ANC Public Relations, Communication and Media
Man O’ War Nigeria
National Command Headquarters, Abuja

14/08/2026

MAN O’ WAR NIGERIA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NIGERIAN ARMY AND SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE

Man O’ War Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with the Nigerian Army and the Safe School Initiative as part of collective efforts to promote safer schools, stronger communities and a more resilient national security architecture.

The National Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, NC Adedamola Gbenga, MIPM, MSS, MSR, FWIP, stated this during a courtesy visit to the Headquarters of the 3 Division Nigerian Army, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, where he was received by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Major General Maxwell Dangana.

The National Commander was accompanied by the National Coordinator of the Financing Safe Schools Initiative, Hajiya Halima Iliya, as part of the engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders in the protection of schools, learners, teachers and vulnerable communities.

Man O’ War Nigeria considers the security of schools a collective national responsibility requiring the coordinated efforts of professional security agencies, government institutions, trained volunteers, educational authorities and host communities. The organisation believes that effective school protection must combine security operations with prevention, preparedness, community awareness, leadership development and responsible citizenship.

The engagement with the Nigerian Army comes at a time when stakeholders across the country are placing increased emphasis on strengthening the security and resilience of learning environments. The Safe School Initiative is designed to support secure and conducive learning environments, while the Nigerian Army remains a critical component of Nigeria’s national security architecture.

Man O’ War Nigeria, with its nationwide volunteer structure and longstanding mandate of promoting discipline, patriotism, leadership and community service, is strategically positioned to complement government and security-sector efforts through community mobilisation, safety awareness, emergency preparedness and responsible volunteer engagement. The organisation’s official structure extends from the National Command through regional, state, area, unit and Cadet commands, providing a broad platform for community-based engagement.

Speaking during the visit, Major General Maxwell Dangana appreciated the leadership of Man O’ War Nigeria and the Safe School Initiative for the engagement and expressed his readiness to sustain the cordial relationship between the Nigerian Army and the organisations. The GOC recognised the importance of partnerships that contribute to institutional development, security and meaningful community engagement.

NC Adedamola Gbenga expressed appreciation to the GOC for receiving the delegation and emphasised that the visit was intended to deepen institutional cooperation and identify practical areas of mutual interest. He noted that Man O’ War Nigeria remains ready to work with the Nigerian Army and other relevant stakeholders within appropriate structures to support initiatives that advance school safety and community resilience.

The National Commander further stressed that a trained volunteer can support a community, an informed citizen can provide valuable early information, and a prepared school community can respond more effectively to emergencies. He noted that the role of Man O’ War Nigeria is not to replace professional security agencies but to complement legitimate security and community-safety efforts through training, awareness, discipline and responsible volunteerism.

The organisation also recognises the importance of intelligence and information sharing in modern security management. Recent stakeholder engagements involving the Nigerian Army and Man O’ War Nigeria have similarly emphasised the importance of citizens and relevant institutions sharing information through appropriate channels to strengthen preventive security measures.

Man O’ War Nigeria therefore views the partnership with the Nigerian Army and the Safe School Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen the connection between professional security operations and community-based preventive measures. Through its trained personnel and command structure, the organisation can contribute to awareness campaigns, emergency preparedness, leadership development, community mobilisation and other lawful activities that support safer learning environments.

The National Command also commended the Federal Government’s continued attention to school safety and the efforts of security agencies in protecting Nigerian children and educational communities. The Nigerian Army has demonstrated the importance of coordinated security operations in protecting learners and teachers, including through intelligence-led operations undertaken with other security agencies.

Man O’ War Nigeria believes that protecting schools requires sustained cooperation beyond the physical boundaries of school premises. Host communities, parents, teachers, students, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and security stakeholders all have important responsibilities in identifying vulnerabilities, promoting vigilance and creating an environment where threats can be detected and addressed through appropriate channels.

The organisation will continue to support initiatives that promote discipline, patriotism, leadership and community service, consistent with its mandate and its vision of contributing to peaceful, harmonious and sustainable communities. Its official mission places emphasis on directing human resources towards selfless community service and developing responsible citizens capable of contributing positively to national development.

Man O’ War Nigeria further believes that the Safe School Initiative can benefit from stronger community-level engagement, particularly through structured programmes that promote safety consciousness, emergency response preparedness, responsible citizenship and resilience among young people. Such initiatives can help build a culture in which school safety becomes a shared responsibility rather than the responsibility of a single institution.

The National Command assures the Nigerian Army, the Safe School Initiative, government agencies and other relevant stakeholders of its readiness to sustain constructive engagements and explore areas of cooperation that fall within its mandate. The organisation remains committed to supporting national development through disciplined volunteerism, community service and youth leadership development.

The courtesy visit therefore represents another step towards strengthening the relationship between Man O’ War Nigeria, the Nigerian Army and the Safe School Initiative, with a shared objective of contributing to safer schools, stronger communities and a more resilient Nigeria.

Man O’ War Nigeria calls on Nigerians to support lawful security and safety initiatives, remain vigilant within their communities and promptly report suspicious activities through appropriate authorities. The organisation maintains that security is a shared responsibility and that meaningful progress is achieved when professional security institutions, government agencies, trained volunteers and citizens work together within clearly defined roles.

The National Command appreciates the Nigerian Army, particularly the leadership of Headquarters 3 Division, for the warm reception and continued openness to strategic engagement. Man O’ War Nigeria looks forward to translating the spirit of the engagement into practical cooperation that contributes to the protection of learners, teachers and communities across Nigeria.

Signed:

ANC Ibrahim Bello, MSS, DSM, FWIP
Assistant National Commander, Public Relations, Communication and Media
Man O’ War Nigeria
National Command Headquarters, Abuja

14/08/2026

MAN O’ WAR NIGERIA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SAFE SCHOOLS:

“Let us remember that a trained volunteer can save a life, an informed community can prevent a crisis, and a prepared school can protect its children.” said NC Adedamola.

Speaking earlier at the opening ceremony of the 4th National camping exercise at the citizenship and leadership training centre, shere hills Jos plateau state, the National Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, NC Adedamola Gbenga, mipm, mss, msr, fwip, said the organisation was strengthening the capacity of its volunteers to support safer schools and more resilient communities across Nigeria.

He described the theme of the camp, “Strengthening Community-Based Safe School Framework for a Secure and Resilient Nigeria,” and the sub-theme, “Building Safer Schools through Partnership, Preparedness and Collective Responsibility,” as timely and relevant to the current security and social development needs of the country.

The National Commander said a major component of the national camp was the Safe School Awareness and Preparedness Training (SSAPT) for coordinators drawn from across the country.

According to him, the training is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills in safeguarding and child protection, early warning and early response, emergency preparedness, security awareness, school risk management, community mobilisation and resilience building.

He explained that the ultimate objective was to establish a competent network of SSAPT coordinators capable of taking the message of safety, preparedness and resilience to schools and communities across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and Railway Command.

NC Adedamola Gbenga reaffirmed that Man O’ War Nigeria, founded on the principles of discipline, leadership, service, patriotism and volunteerism, has a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the protection and development of communities.

“We must therefore move beyond simply responding to emergencies.”

He stressed the importance of proactive risk identification, prevention and community preparedness, adding:

“We must become proactive in identifying risks, preventing avoidable incidents and building resilient communities.”

The National Commander urged all SSAPT coordinators to take the training seriously and return to their respective commands with the determination to translate the knowledge acquired into measurable impact.

Signed
ANC Ibrahim Bello mss,DSM,fwip
ANC Public Relations, communication and media
Man O’ War Nigeria
National Command Hq Abuja

13/08/2026

10/08/2026

Highlight of the Day 1: 4th National Camping Exercise Jos 2026

07/08/2026

NATIONAL COMMANDER PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO JOINT TASK FORCE HEADQUARTERS, JOS PLATEAU STATE

The National Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, NC Adedamola Gbenga, MIPM, MSS, MSR, FWIP, paid a courtesy visit to the Squadron Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) and Operation Enduring Peace Headquarters, Sector 1, Jos.

The visit was aimed at strengthening existing relationships, fostering inter-agency collaboration, and exploring areas of mutual cooperation between Man O’ War Nigeria and the Joint Task Force.

During the visit, the National Commander appreciated the leadership and personnel of the Joint Task Force for their commitment to national security, peace, and stability. He further emphasized the importance of synergy among relevant agencies and organizations in promoting peace, community safety, and national development.

The engagement provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss areas of common interest and the need for continued cooperation in support of peacebuilding, security awareness, youth development, and community engagement.

The National Commander reaffirmed the readiness of Man O’ War Nigeria to support legitimate efforts aimed at promoting peace, discipline, responsible citizenship, and community development across the country.

The visit aimed the commitment of Man O’ War Nigeria to building stronger institutional partnerships and contributing meaningfully to national peace and security.

06/08/2026

NATIONAL COMMANDER OF MAN O’ WAR NIGERIA PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO CHAIRMAN OF JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The National Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, NC Adedamola Gbenga, MIPM, MSS, MSR, FWIP, today paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Jos North Local Government, JK Christopher, Esq., as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between Man O’ War Nigeria and government institutions.

During the visit, the National Commander commended the Chairman for his commitment to grassroots governance and community development. He reiterated the readiness of Man O’ War Nigeria to partner with the Jos North Local Government in promoting youth development, civic responsibility, community service, and security consciousness through its various programmes and initiatives.

NC Adedamola Gbenga emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing societal challenges, noting that collaborative efforts between public institutions and voluntary organizations remain vital to sustainable community development.

In his response, the Chairman of Jos North Local Government, JK Christopher, Esq., appreciated the visit and acknowledged the invaluable contributions of Man O’ War Nigeria towards youth empowerment, discipline, volunteerism, and community safety. He expressed the willingness of the local government to explore areas of mutual cooperation that will benefit the people of Jos North.

The visit concluded with the exchange of goodwill and a shared commitment to fostering a productive working relationship in the interest of community growth and national development.

Signed:

ANC Ibrahim Bello mss, dsm, fwip
ANC Public Relations, Communication and Media
Man O’ War Nigeria
National Command Hq Abuja