The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has said effective policing depends on mutual trust and cooperation between the police and the communities they serve.
The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.
He said Disu made the disclosure during an operational visit to the Imo State Police Command on Thursday, in company with the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 9 Headquarters, Emeka Nwonyi, and other senior officers of the command.
The IG thanked the government and people of Imo State, as well as the various stakeholders, for their support and partnership with the police.
Disu maintained that, “the Police are the community, and the community are the Police.”
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He charged officers and men of the command to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and integrity in the discharge of their duties and urged personnel to respect members of the public, remain committed to the protection of lives and property, deepen community engagement, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure prompt and effective responses to security concerns.
On election security, the IG stressed the importance of early, comprehensive and coordinated planning, as well as sustained engagement with relevant stakeholders.
Already, he directed the command to maintain effective collaboration with all concerned partners to ensure professional security management during elections, in line with the objectives of CARSPO 2026.
The AIG, Zone 9 Headquarters, Emeka Nwonyi, disclosed professional and operational perspectives on policing and security within the zone, with emphasis on strengthening inter-command coordination and sustaining effective security operations.
Earlier, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, briefed the IGP on the security situation in the state and highlighted the command’s operational activities, crime-fighting efforts, achievements recorded, prevailing challenges and the requirements necessary to sustain and further strengthen its effectiveness.
There were goodwill messages from key stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Imo State, Evangelist Bethran Uzodinma; Mr Chibuike, representing Citizens Advocacy for Peace is Possible in Nigeria; Eze M.C. Nwokoma; and the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch.
They commended the police for their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the state and pledged their continued support for policing and community-based security initiatives.
In a related development, the IG visited the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Eze Imo, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, where he held discussions with the traditional ruler on matters relating to peace, security and community partnership.
The engagement highlighted the important role of traditional institutions in conflict prevention, community mobilisation and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
The visit was attended by senior police officers, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, tactical commanders and personnel of the Imo State Police Command, as well as representatives of traditional, religious, professional, community and civil society organisations, youth groups and the media.