Police Chief Calls on Anambra Residents to Report Criminals

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Tuesday urged people in Anambra State to stop hiding criminals and give timely information to security agencies. He warned that keeping quiet is helping kidnappers, cultists, and other criminals to operate freely in communities.

The IGP made this call during a meeting on security held in Awka, the capital of Anambra State.

He was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police for the South-East, DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie. The IGP said that fighting crime effectively needs strong teamwork between the police, communities, traditional leaders, and other important groups.

He mentioned that this engagement is happening in all six geopolitical zones in the country to build better partnerships and find real solutions to security problems.

The police cannot handle insecurity alone without the help and cooperation of the people, he said. "The culture of silence in many communities allows criminals to operate unhindered. We urge members of the public to provide early-warning information to security agencies before situations deteriorate," he added.

The IGP listed kidnapping, cult-related violence, armed robbery, targeted killings, and drug trafficking as major security threats facing communities. He emphasized that trust between the police and the public is key to better intelligence gathering and preventing crime.

"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."

He continued, "We need genuine partnership. We need to guide our youths. We need structures that give hope and opportunities to young people. We also need collaboration with vigilante groups under lawful engagement."

The police chief stated that all six Deputy Inspectors-General of Police have been instructed to work with stakeholders in their zones to find practical ways to tackle insecurity and improve community involvement in security management.

He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, and residents to collaborate closely with security agencies to ensure that criminal gangs cannot find safe places in their communities. "Security is a collective responsibility. No individual or agency can tackle insecurity alone. If communities remain united and work together, criminal gangs will find it difficult to undermine the security system," he said.

The IGP also dismissed claims that the Nigeria Police Force is blocking efforts to create state police. He explained that establishing state police would need changes to the Constitution by the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

"The issue of state police is tied to the provisions of the Constitution. We must amend the Constitution and relevant laws before state police can become a reality," he said.

Earlier, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Ibrahim Ezekiel, spoke about security being the foundation for economic growth and social development.

He urged residents to work together with security agencies and legally recognized vigilante groups to boost efforts against insecurity in the state.

The event saw participation from heads of security agencies, traditional leaders, vigilante groups, members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, civil society organizations, transport unions, journalists, and representatives of the Northern community in the state.