Uzodimma, IGP Seek Collaboration on Community Policing
Amby Uneze in Owerri The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, have called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, state governments and local
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu have advocated for enhanced cooperation between security agencies, state governments, and local communities to bolster policing and public safety in Nigeria. Uzodimma addressed this during his lecture at the 6th Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Owerri.
He emphasized the principle of subsidiarity and its application to policing and national security. Uzodimma argued that the debate surrounding state police should shift from structural issues to how responsibility, knowledge, and capacity can be most effectively utilized closer to the ground. Drawing on Imo's security experience since 2020, he highlighted the critical role of local intelligence in differentiating political violence from other criminal activities like kidnapping and armed robbery, stressing that communities hold vital knowledge which security agencies cannot replicate or create.
He called for a more localized approach to policing, ensuring professionalism, merit-based recruitment, and respect for citizens' rights within the framework of the law. Uzodimma also urged security agencies to bolster intelligence gathering and community partnerships ahead of the 2027 general elections, given that electoral violence often begins well before the actual voting day.
IGP Disu responded by urging policemen to apply the knowledge gained during the retreat to improve service delivery nationwide. Disu praised Uzodimma's support for the Nigerian Police Force and noted a significant reduction in complaints against police officers, attributing this improvement to the efforts of Commissioner of Police.
He encouraged officers to maintain this progress and work towards minimizing complaints to almost zero by the end of the year. The three-day summit included lectures and discussions on various aspects of policing, including emotional intelligence, media relations, and elections, culminating in the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Uzodimma by IGP Disu in recognition of his support for the police.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
