The Imo State Police Command has strengthened its partnership with community leaders and other stakeholders as part of renewed efforts to combat kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes and other security threats affecting parts of the state.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level security stakeholders’ meeting held in Owerri, where representatives from Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Owerri West Local Government Areas gathered to discuss practical solutions to the growing security concerns.
Representing the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, the Area Commander of Ohaji/Egbema Area Command, ACP Emeka Ezeibe, said the Police Command remains committed to intelligence-driven policing, crime prevention and stronger collaboration with local communities.
He urged residents to provide timely and credible information that would help security agencies identify and arrest criminal elements.
“Criminality should not be associated with any ethnic or religious group. We need the support of communities through timely and credible information to expose criminals,” Ezeibe said.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, Presidents-General, religious leaders, youth and women representatives, vigilante commanders, members of the Hausa/Fulani community, divisional police officers and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Northern Affairs, Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim.
Participants applauded the noticeable improvement in security across the state while highlighting major concerns, including kidnapping for ransom, farmer-herder conflicts, destruction of farmlands by grazing cattle, threats to farmers and the impact of insecurity on food production and livelihoods.
Stakeholders also commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for strengthening grassroots security through community-based vigilante structures.
At the end of the meeting, participants agreed that herders should avoid grazing on cultivated farmlands and recommended the registration and profiling of herders operating in affected communities.
They also called for stronger cooperation between residents and security agencies to tackle kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes and other criminal activities.
ACP Ezeibe assured participants that the Police Command would continue to strengthen proactive policing and strategic partnerships to improve security across the affected communities.
He also announced the creation of a committee made up of community representatives from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area to address issues relating to herders, kidnapping and peaceful coexistence.
Speaking on behalf of the Hausa/Fulani community, Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence, stressing that law-abiding herders would neither support nor protect criminal elements.
The meeting ended with stakeholders pledging their support for the Police Command’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign as part of efforts to improve security and maintain peace across Imo State.
