People must trust police, IG seeks end to mutual suspicion
Participant at the engagement meeting in Awka on Tuesday. Credit: Ikenna Obianeri
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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has called for deeper collaboration between the police, communities, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders to effectively tackle insecurity across the country.
He also made a passionate plea for an end to the deep-seated mutual suspicion between law enforcement and citizens, declaring that sustainable security can only be achieved when there is genuine trust on both sides.
Disu made the call on Tuesday during a strategic stakeholders’ engagement on security in Awka, the Anambra State capital. Represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-East geopolitical zone, DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, the IGP said the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration among critical stakeholders to promote sustainable peace, security, and public safety.
He stressed that effective crime-fighting depends on mutual trust and confidence between the police and the communities they serve.
According to him, the IGP directed all six Deputy Inspectors-General of Police across the country to engage stakeholders within their respective zones to identify practical solutions to prevailing security challenges.
Onwuemelie explained that the engagement, which is being held across the country’s geopolitical zones, provides a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on existing security threats, identify emerging challenges, and develop practical strategies to enhance intelligence sharing, community participation, and coordinated security responses.
“This stakeholders’ engagement is to deepen collaboration between the police, communities and relevant bodies in Anambra State to effectively combat crime and criminality.
“This exercise is aimed at strengthening collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions, government representatives, community leaders and other critical stakeholders for sustainable peace, security and public safety,” he said.
The DIG urged stakeholders to work closely with security agencies and legally recognised vigilante groups to strengthen efforts at addressing insecurity.
“Security is a collective responsibility. No individual or agency can tackle insecurity alone. The police and other security agencies require the support and cooperation of traditional institutions, community leaders and residents to reduce crime in society,” he added.
He lamented that the culture of silence in many communities often allows criminals to operate unchecked and appealed to residents to provide timely intelligence to security agencies before situations escalate.
The police chief identified cult-related violence, armed robbery, kidnapping, targeted killings and drug trafficking as some of the major drivers of insecurity in the country.
He noted that communities united against crime would make it difficult for criminal gangs to thrive.
“Clashes among criminal gangs have increasingly resulted in deaths and injuries, making youth engagement and community participation critical in addressing the problem.
“The people need to trust the police, and the police also need to trust the people. It is only when there is mutual trust between the police and communities that information can flow freely. We need genuine partnership,” he said.
Onwuemelie further stressed the need to guide young people and create structures that provide opportunities and hope, while encouraging collaboration with vigilante groups within the confines of the law.
“We will deepen our presence at the grassroots level. We will continue to work with the Department of State Services and other security agencies to combat crime in the state. We will also strengthen community engagement through traditional rulers and community leaders,” he added.
The IGP also dismissed claims that the Nigeria Police Force was deliberately frustrating efforts to establish state police, noting that the process requires constitutional amendments by both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
“The issue of state police is tied to constitutional provisions. We must amend the Constitution and relevant laws before state police can become a reality. This is a rigorous process that falls within the responsibilities of members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Ibrahim Ezekiel, described security as the foundation of economic development and social progress.
He said every citizen has a role to play in combating insecurity and urged residents to work closely with security agencies to create a safer environment.
“Security is a collective responsibility, although there are state actors specifically charged with maintaining security,” he said.
As part of his visit, the DIG paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, in recognition of the role of traditional institutions in promoting peace, conflict resolution and grassroots intelligence gathering.
The monarch commended the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their efforts in maintaining security across the state and assured them of the continued support of the traditional institution.
The meeting was attended by heads of security agencies, vigilante groups, members of the Anambra State Traditional Council, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, transport unions, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, civil society organisations and representatives of the Northern community in the state.
Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism
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