The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9 Headquarters, Umuahia, Abia State, Dr Emeka Nwonyi, has said the Nigeria Police Force cannot effectively guarantee the security of lives and property without the active collaboration of traditional rulers, community leaders and other critical stakeholders.
Nwonyi stated this on Thursday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during a courtesy visit to members of the traditional institution, where he underscored the strategic importance of intelligence sharing, community policing and sustained collaboration between security agencies and the grassroots.
The AIG, who described his visit as a demonstration of respect for the institution of traditional leadership, said traditional rulers remained indispensable partners in the collective effort to maintain peace, social cohesion and community stability.
According to him, the traditional institution occupies a unique position as a bridge between government, security agencies and the people, possessing deep-rooted knowledge of their communities, established relationships and early-warning mechanisms that formal security structures may not readily access.
He said: “The traditional institution remains an important bridge between government, security agencies and the people. Our communities possess knowledge, relationships and early-warning mechanisms that cannot be replaced by any formal security structure.
“The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, recognises traditional rulers as essential partners in the collective responsibility of protecting lives and property.
“As I commence my tour of duty, my commitment is to strengthen the relationship between the police and traditional institutions within the zone. Security cannot be achieved by the police alone.”
Nwonyi said effective policing required robust partnerships, credible intelligence sharing, community engagement, mutual confidence and strict adherence to the rule of law.
He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to encourage residents to provide timely, accurate and actionable information to the police, stressing that early intelligence remained one of the most potent tools for preventing crime and averting threats before they escalate.
“Early information can prevent crime, protect communities and save lives and property,” the AIG said.
He further advocated a more proactive, intelligence-led and people-oriented security architecture, noting that contemporary security challenges required greater synergy between law enforcement agencies and communities.
The police chief identified the strengthening of community policing, improved information flow, rapid response to emerging threats and the rebuilding of public confidence as critical components of an effective crime-prevention strategy.
Nwonyi also assured the traditional rulers that the police under his command would operate professionally, fairly and within the confines of the law.
“We shall promote respect for human dignity and ensure that our officers understand that effective policing is not simply about enforcement; it is also about service, prevention, dialogue and partnership,” he said.
The AIG described Abakaliki as a strategic economic, administrative and social hub, saying the security and stability of the Ebonyi State capital had implications beyond its immediate communities.
According to him, sustained peace in Abakaliki would contribute significantly to the stability, economic prosperity and overall security of Ebonyi State and the wider South-East geopolitical zone.
He consequently called for a broad-based security partnership involving the police, traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youth groups, religious leaders, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
Nwonyi said he was prepared to work closely with the traditional institution in developing practical and sustainable approaches to community security, peaceful coexistence, crime prevention and development.
“Let us build a relationship in which the police are not seen merely as an institution of enforcement, but as partners with the people in protecting the peace and the future of our communities,” he said.
The AIG solicited the wisdom, guidance and cooperation of the traditional rulers throughout his tour of duty, expressing confidence that a stronger police-traditional institution relationship would further consolidate the prevailing security architecture in the state.
He commended the traditional institution and residents for their hospitality and cooperation with security agencies, while praying that the reign of the monarchs would continue to be characterised by peace, wisdom and service to their respective communities.
The visiting AIG was received by the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor, alongside senior police officers and prominent traditional rulers.
Among the traditional rulers present was HRH Eze Sunday Nkwegu Oketa, the Onuoha III of Nkaleke Echara Autonomous Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area, alongside other monarchs and community leaders.
The traditional rulers, in their separate remarks, commended the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their operations and sustained efforts at maintaining peace and public order in Ebonyi State.
They noted that the relative peace and stability being experienced in several communities in the state were products of sustained collaboration among the police, sister security agencies, the traditional institution and residents.
The monarchs pledged continued support to the police, particularly in the areas of intelligence gathering, early warning, conflict resolution and community engagement, while urging residents to cooperate with security agencies by volunteering useful information capable of preventing criminal activities.
They also called for the strengthening of mutual trust between security personnel and local communities, maintaining that the fight against crime and criminality would yield better results when citizens regard security agencies as partners rather than distant enforcement institutions.
The traditional rulers assured the AIG of their readiness to work with the Zone 9 command and other security formations to deepen peace-building initiatives and sustain the security gains recorded in Ebonyi State.
