COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE AKWETE: CP ABIA PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO NDLEA CONDUCTS WORKING VISITS TO BENDE/AKWETE POLICE DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS

COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE AKWETE: CP ABIA PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO NDLEA CONDUCTS WORKING VISITS TO BENDE/AKWETE POLICE DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS

In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc+, NPM, yesterday, 04/09/2026, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, psc+, mnips, JP, continued the Police Community Safety Partnership Initiative in the Akwete Area Command.

As part of the engagement, the CP, alongside other senior officers covering the Aba/Akwete jurisdiction, paid a courtesy visit to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State Command, to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in ensuring safety and security across the State. He acknowledged that drug abuse is a major factor fueling crime and emphasized the need for unity of purpose and partnership in combating criminality to the barest minimum. The State Commander, NDLEA, CN Leonard Chinagorom Nnadim, PhD, warmly received the CP, assured him of sustained cooperation in intelligence sharing and joint operations, and appreciated the inclusion of the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officers in his jurisdiction as part of the entourage, noting that it is imperative for fostering stronger working relationships. The Commander also briefed the CP on various drugs, patterns of abuse, and testing procedures.

Thereafter, the CP proceeded to the Akwete Area Command, where he held an expanded Community Safety Partnership meeting with key stakeholders. Participants included Local Government Mayors, Traditional Rulers, women and youth representatives, transport unions, hotel operators, farmers and traders associations, Abia State Homeland Watch, vigilante groups, community policing representatives, hunters, herders, and cattle rearers, among others.

During the interactive session, stakeholders raised concerns bordering on manpower and logistics shortages, the apprehension of suspects without proper information leading to families being unaware of their whereabouts, alleged demands during investigations to sponsor cases, involvement of the Police in civil matters, banditry along the Ukwa West axis, and incessant killings and snatching of motorcyclists. They also emphasized the need for improved collaboration between the Police, traditional institutions, and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the Area Command.

In his response, CP Afolabi addressed the concerns and reiterated the IGP’s zero-tolerance stance on unprofessional conduct. He assured that measures are already in place to check misconduct and emphasized that any officer found wanting would face disciplinary action. The CP also shared his contact details with stakeholders to enhance accessibility and accountability.

He directed Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure that henceforth, when a suspect is arrested, the Police formation to which the suspect is taken should not be concealed from the relatives. He further instructed officers to collaborate with approved community security outfits to mitigate manpower challenges. The CP also highlighted the introduction of motorcycle patrols and cautioned that such patrol teams should consist of not less than three motorcycles and not more than six officers, adequately armed, to improve feasibility in non-motorable areas, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness. He assured stakeholders that identified security threats would be strategically addressed, noting that the Command has outlined capacity-building workshops focused on intelligence gathering, crime mapping and crime nipping and professional development. He further mandated that contact numbers of Divisions and the Area Command be visibly displayed to improve public access.