By Chizoba Njaka
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has called on traditional rulers, youths and other stakeholders at the grassroots to strengthen collaboration with the Police by providing timely and credible information capable of preventing crime and enhancing security across the state.
CP Nnanna made the call on August 14, during an interactive strategic security stakeholders’ meeting with stakeholders from Anambra Central Senatorial District at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka. The meeting formed part of his ongoing consultations with stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The commissioner emphasized that effective security must begin at the grassroots, stressing that traditional institutions and community stakeholders play a critical role in identifying and addressing security threats before they escalate. He urged participants to promptly report suspicious activities, disorderly conduct and other security concerns to the Police. He disclosed that the Command had made available dedicated security contact channels through which members of the public could communicate useful information to the Police to support intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
CP Nnanna assured the stakeholders that information provided to the Police would be treated with utmost confidentiality, while the identities of informants would be adequately protected. He further appealed to traditional rulers and other community leaders to actively partner with the Police and other security agencies, noting that security should be regarded as a collective responsibility rather than the sole responsibility of law enforcement agencies.
According to him, traditional rulers remain important custodians of the culture and traditions of their communities and are therefore strategically positioned to support peace, order and security at the grassroots.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to the people of Anambra State for their continued support and cooperation with the police, assuring them that the command would not take their efforts for granted. He reiterated the command’s commitment to making Anambra a safe and secure environment for residents, stressing that all security measures being implemented would be pursued firmly and professionally.
CP Nnanna also condemned police extortion and assured the stakeholders that the command would continue to take steps to eradicate such misconduct. He called for the cooperation of the public in exposing and reporting any officer found engaging in extortion or other unprofessional conduct. He stated that the Police were in Anambra to serve and protect the people at the community, grassroots and state levels, adding that the command had introduced various approaches aimed at strengthening intelligence-led and community-based policing.
In his response, the traditional ruler of Uke in Idemili North Local Government Area, Igwe Surv. Charles Agbala, commended CP Nnanna for engaging traditional institutions and pledged their support for the command’s efforts to improve security across the state. Igwe Agbala appealed to the police to further strengthen collaboration with traditional institutions in handling certain community disputes, particularly matters that could appropriately be addressed through traditional mechanisms without compromising justice or existing laws.
He also called for mutual respect and understanding between traditional rulers and security personnel, noting that effective cooperation between both institutions would enhance the success of security operations within communities. The stakeholders and traditional rulers expressed their readiness to continue working with the Police and other security agencies towards strengthening peace, security and stability across Anambra State.
By Chizoba Njaka is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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