The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has engaged community leaders and residents in Isuikwuato to address growing security concerns. The meeting, which took place at the Isuikwuato Area Command, brought together stakeholders from various divisions, including local government leaders, traditional rulers, and members of the Police Community Relations Committee. The engagement aimed to strengthen cooperation between the police and the community to prevent crime.
Afolabi urged residents, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to provide timely information that could help prevent crime. He emphasized that effective security depended on cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies. The commissioner also assured that the police would not interfere with legitimate businesses but warned that individuals who knowingly aided criminal activities would face the law.
The engagement highlighted several security concerns, including clashes between farmers and herders, jungle justice, inadequate community sensitization, theft allegedly encouraged by scrap dealers, and shortages of personnel and logistics. To address these concerns, Afolabi directed that monthly dialogue sessions be held between farmers and herders. He also called for stronger collaboration between the police, community security outfits, and sister security agencies to address manpower shortages.
Afolabi announced the introduction of motorbike patrols to improve police visibility and response in rural communities. The command is also strengthening the capacity of community-based security personnel through training and retraining. Local vigilantes will be integrated into the security framework to promote professionalism and efficiency. This move aims to enhance security in rural areas and provide a rapid response to security threats.
Before the community engagement, Afolabi paid a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Isuikwuato, Chinedu Ekeke. The mayor commended the commissioner for his commitment to community security and described his engagement with local stakeholders as a positive step towards addressing security challenges. Ekeke emphasized the importance of collaboration between the police and the local government in tackling insecurity.
Afolabi also visited the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, where discussions focused on improving security within the university and its surrounding communities. The meeting aimed to identify security challenges and develop strategies to address them. The commissioner emphasized the need for collaboration between the police, the university, and the community to ensure a safe environment for students and staff.
The community safety engagement in Isuikwuato is part of Afolabi's efforts to address security concerns in Abia State. The commissioner's proactive approach has been commended by stakeholders, who believe that his engagement with local communities will help to reduce crime and improve security in the state. The police command is expected to continue its community engagement efforts to promote cooperation and address security challenges.
Key points
- The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has directed that monthly dialogue sessions be held between farmers and herders to address clashes between the two groups.
- Afolabi has announced the introduction of motorbike patrols to improve police visibility and response in rural communities.
- The police command is strengthening the capacity of community-based security personnel through training and retraining to promote professionalism and efficiency.
