The Imo State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security through closer collaboration with communities in a renewed effort to combat kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes and other criminal activities across the state.
The commitment was made during a security stakeholders’ meeting held in Owerri, bringing together traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, youth and women representatives, vigilante commanders, members of the Hausa/Fulani community and security agencies to discuss strategies for improving public safety.
Representing the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, the Area Commander of Ohaji/Egbema Area Command, ACP Emeka Ezeibe, said the command remains committed to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention and stronger community partnerships.
He urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that criminality should not be associated with any ethnic or religious group.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the improved security situation in Imo State and lauded Governor Hope Uzodimma’s efforts in strengthening grassroots security through community-based vigilante structures.
Deliberations focused on key security concerns, including kidnapping for ransom, farmer-herder conflicts, destruction of farmlands by grazing cattle and the impact of insecurity on farming activities and food production.
At the end of the meeting, participants resolved that herders should avoid grazing on cultivated farmlands and recommended the registration and profiling of herders operating within affected communities to enhance security and accountability.
The stakeholders also called for stronger cooperation between residents and security agencies to effectively tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.
ACP Ezeibe announced the establishment of a committee comprising representatives from communities in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area to address issues relating to herders, kidnapping and peaceful coexistence.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Northern Affairs, Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim, reaffirmed the commitment of the Hausa/Fulani community to peaceful coexistence, assuring residents that law-abiding herders would neither support nor shield criminal elements.
The meeting concluded with stakeholders pledging their support for the Police Command’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign as part of efforts to strengthen security and promote lasting peace across Imo State.
