By Ukpa Ewa
The African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP), Nigeria, has brought police authorities, university student leaders and other stakeholders together in Anambra State to strengthen police-youth relations and promote collaboration in crime prevention.
The one-day Police-Youth Crime Prevention and Community Safety Dialogue, held at the Madubuko Min-Auditorium, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Sept 28, focused on the theme, “Promoting Police-Youth Relationship and Preventing Negative Profiling Narratives for Improved Security in the South-East Region.”
The event was attended by the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, DCP Ngozi Ezeabata; police area commanders; and representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Addressing participants, the Executive Director of AYICRIP, Amb. Chris Ibe, said the dialogue was organised against the backdrop of persistent mistrust between law enforcement agencies and citizens, particularly youths. He identified negative profiling, stereotyping, mutual suspicion and allegations of police brutality as some of the factors affecting police-youth relations.
Ibe stressed that the programme was not intended to apportion blame, but to provide a platform for constructive engagement and practical solutions to security challenges. He noted that strained relations between youths and security agencies could create opportunities for criminal elements to operate.
He encouraged youths to openly share their experiences and offer practical suggestions for improving police-youth relations, stressing that stronger cooperation was essential for effective crime prevention and safer communities. He also commended Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Spaces for Change for supporting the initiative.
Declaring the event open, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Hilda Osisioma, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, commended AYICRIP for organising the dialogue and expressed hope that it would contribute to improved relations between security agencies and young people.
In her presentation, DCP Ngozi Ezeabata announced the introduction of the Anambra State Police-Youth Engagement Platform, with telephone number 09169531886, as a channel through which youths can engage the police and report alleged improper conduct by officers. She urged young people to make use of appropriate reporting channels, stressing that effective crime prevention requires open communication and cooperation between the police and youths.
Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Michael Ezenwa, advocated citizen-led policing and called for increased government investment in security agencies through improved recruitment, regular training, operational equipment and better conditions of service. He also urged government to invest in young people through education, skills acquisition and meaningful social protection programmes.
A major highlight of the event was an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants engaged the speakers on police-youth relations and community safety. Awards were also presented to CP Nnanna Oji Ama, Prof. Michael Ezenwa and the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, in recognition of their contributions to humanity.
Ukpa Ewa is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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