By Polycarp Onwubiko

The new Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has pledged to reduce violent crimes and other criminal activities in the state to the barest minimum as part of efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property.

CP Ama made the commitment while delivering his welcome address at the Anambra Central Senatorial District edition of the Security Stakeholders Interactive Session, held at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka.

The session, themed “Strengthening Community-Based Policing Through Strategic Partnership and Collective Responsibility for Public Safety,” brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, government officials, security agencies and other stakeholders.

The police commissioner stressed that security is a collective responsibility and appealed to residents and community leaders to provide timely and credible information that would assist the police in preventing and combating crime.

“The essence of this stakeholders’ gathering is to seek the support of the people to frontally address insecurity in the state. We want you to be integrated into the security arrangements,” CP Ama said.

He urged traditional rulers and presidents-general of town unions to properly verify people relocating into their communities, including knowing their places of residence and occupations, in order to strengthen community security and prevent criminal elements from infiltrating communities.

CP Ama also assured residents that under his leadership, the police command would uphold professionalism, respect human rights and restore public confidence in the force.

He declared that bail would remain free and warned against extortion by police personnel.

“Under my watch, bail is free. There will be no extortion. The police must be trusted and must gain the confidence of the people,” he said.

The commissioner further pledged to tackle individuals who use money and influence to create the impression that they are above the law.

During the interactive session, the traditional ruler of Oba-Ofe-mmili, HRH Igwe Ernest Ezekwesili Maduagwuna, raised concerns over an alleged camp of Fulani herders in a forest between his community and Ezeagu in Enugu State, which he alleged was being used by kidnapping syndicates.

Responding, CP Ama promised to engage his counterpart in Enugu State with a view to taking decisive action on the alleged security threat.

Another traditional ruler from Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, raised concerns over residents taking family and land-related disputes to the police and Zone 13 Command, Ukpo, when such matters could first be addressed through traditional institutions.

He appealed to the commissioner to encourage residents to seek redress through their traditional rulers before resorting to the police or courts, particularly in cases that do not involve criminality.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the traditional ruler of Uke, HRH Surveyor Igwe Charles C. Agbala, echoed the concern over the frequent referral of minor disputes to the Zone 13 Police Command.

He said traditional rulers were capable of resolving many community and family disputes and suggested that aggrieved parties who were dissatisfied with the intervention of their traditional rulers should first approach the appropriate police area command, divisional police headquarters or the office of the Commissioner of Police before escalating such matters to the Zone 13 Command.

Igwe Agbala said the approach would help reduce unnecessary pressure on the police and allow security agencies to concentrate on genuine criminal cases.

The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by representatives of sister security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders from across the senatorial district, including representatives of Awka, Oba, Akwaeze, Neni and Ifitedunu.

Those in attendance included HRH Igwe Emeka Ilouno of Akwaeze, HRH Igwe Christopher N. Okpala of Neni, HRH Igwe Damian O. Ezeani of Oba, and HRH Igwe Sir Augustine Chinedu Emelobe.

Also present were representatives of the Awka South Local Government Area mayor, including his Chief Security Officer, top government officials and members of the business community.

The engagement formed part of efforts by the new Anambra State Police Command to deepen community-based policing, strengthen collaboration with traditional and community institutions, and improve public safety across the state.