The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has called for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies to effectively address security challenges across the country.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ security engagement meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State, where the IGP was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Logistics and the South-East, DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie.
He stressed that timely intelligence from residents remains crucial in preventing crime, noting that community members are often the first to notice suspicious activities, unfamiliar persons, and emerging tensions within their localities.
The police chief also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to play active roles in resolving disputes before they escalate into violence, while emphasizing the need to mentor and empower young people to prevent their recruitment into criminal groups.
On vigilante operations, he acknowledged their contributions to community security but warned that their activities must remain within the confines of the law and under proper supervision.
The IGP further highlighted ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force aimed at improving intelligence gathering, expanding rural policing, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and enhancing response times to security threats.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Danladi Isa, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Ifeanyi Ohuruzo, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to community policing and called for sustained cooperation from residents to ensure lasting peace and security in the state.
The engagement brought together security stakeholders, community leaders, and residents to discuss practical strategies for strengthening safety and public confidence across Abia State.
