The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has intensified community policing and inter-agency collaboration across the state as part of efforts to strengthen security and protect residents.
Afolabi made this known on Friday, August 28, 2026, during a security engagement and inspection tour of police formations in the Ohafia axis under the Police Community Safety Partnership Initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The CP commenced the exercise with a courtesy visit to the Commander of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General A.M. Diko, where both security chiefs discussed ways of strengthening police-military cooperation, intelligence sharing and joint operations.
The Brigade Commander assured the police command of the military’s continued support in tackling security challenges across the state.
The CP later held an expanded community safety partnership meeting at the Ohafia Government Multi-Purpose Hall with traditional rulers, local government mayors, women and youth leaders, transport unions, farmers, traders, hotel operators, vigilante groups, hunters, community policing representatives and other security agencies.
The stakeholders raised concerns over inadequate police manpower and mobility, alleged extortion and unethical practices during investigations, external interference in arrests, the proliferation of unregulated security outfits and the destruction of farmlands by herders.
They also called for stronger collaboration between security agencies, traditional institutions and youth organisations to address emerging security threats.
Responding, CP Afolabi reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s zero-tolerance policy for unprofessional conduct, warning that officers found engaging in unethical practices would face disciplinary action.
He also made his contact details available to stakeholders to improve direct communication, accountability and accessibility between the police command and members of the public.
The Commissioner directed Divisional Police Officers to work only with recognised and approved community security outfits and take appropriate action against unregistered groups operating within their jurisdictions.
He further directed the Area Commander to organise a meeting with herders at the Command Headquarters to address concerns surrounding farming and grazing activities.
In a bid to improve public access to the police, Afolabi ordered that telephone numbers of police divisions and the Area Command be prominently displayed outside their premises.
He urged residents to adopt basic security measures, including using pedal and wheel locks on vehicles, maintaining good relationships with neighbours and promptly reporting suspicious persons and activities to the police.
The CP also advised community leaders to involve the police in employment processes to facilitate proper profiling and documentation of prospective employees.
He assured local security groups of inclusion in forthcoming training programmes by the command and encouraged them to maintain dedicated communication channels for effective information sharing.
As part of the working visit, CP Afolabi inspected police divisional headquarters in Arochukwu, Nkpuru, Abiriba and Bende, where he charged officers and men to uphold professionalism, discipline and respect for the rule of law.
He also directed personnel to comply with the Nigeria Police Force social media policy, maintain proper dress codes and improve traffic management within their areas of responsibility.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustained collaboration with approved community security outfits and continued retraining of personnel to enhance their capacity to protect lives and property across Abia State.
