The Abia State Police Command has strengthened its collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, as part of efforts to tackle crime and improve community safety across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, made this known during his working visit to the Akwete Area Command, where he also held an expanded Community Safety Partnership meeting with stakeholders.
The engagement was carried out in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, under the Police Community Safety Partnership Initiative.
During a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Abia State Command, CP Afolabi noted that drug abuse remains a major factor contributing to criminal activities and called for stronger inter-agency cooperation to tackle the problem.
The NDLEA State Commander, CN Leonard Chinagorom Nnadim, assured the Police Command of continued cooperation through intelligence sharing and joint operations. He also briefed the CP on drug abuse patterns and testing procedures.
At the Akwete Area Command, the Police Commissioner met with local government mayors, traditional rulers, women and youth representatives, transport unions, traders, farmers, hotel operators, community policing representatives, vigilante groups, hunters, herders and other stakeholders.
Stakeholders raised concerns over manpower and logistics shortages, alleged demands during investigations, police involvement in civil matters, difficulties in accessing information about arrested suspects, banditry along the Ukwa West axis, as well as killings and motorcycle theft.
Responding, CP Afolabi reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s zero-tolerance stance on unprofessional conduct, warning that officers found culpable would face disciplinary action.
He directed Divisional Police Officers to ensure that relatives are informed of the police formation where arrested suspects are taken, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability.
The CP also directed officers to work with approved community security outfits to address manpower challenges and announced the introduction of motorcycle patrols to improve police visibility and operations in difficult-to-access areas.
He said the Command would organise capacity-building programmes focusing on intelligence gathering, crime mapping, crime prevention and professional development.
CP Afolabi further directed that contact numbers of police divisions and the Area Command be displayed publicly to improve communication between the Police and residents.
The Commissioner urged residents to adopt basic security measures, promptly report suspicious activities and maintain good neighbourly relations. He also encouraged community leaders to involve the Police in employment processes to facilitate proper profiling and documentation.
During the visit, the CP inspected the Obehie and Akwete Divisional Police Headquarters and the Area Command, where he charged officers to maintain professionalism, discipline and strict compliance with the rule of law.
He also directed officers to adhere to the Nigeria Police Force social media policy, proper dress code and effective traffic management, while assuring personnel of ongoing retraining to improve their capacity to serve the public.
