Mistrust threatens community policing, ex-DIG warns

Retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Adeleye Oyebade has warned that mistrust between residents and security agencies threatens the effectiveness of community policing. Speaking at the Nigeria Grassroots Governance Summit and Awards in Lagos, Oyebade highlighted that residents may be hesitant to report suspicious activities due to fears of retaliation, exposure, or inadequate protection, while security officers may be reluctant to rely on information supplied by community groups due to concerns about misinformation, personal rivalries, or infiltration by criminal elements.

Oyebade emphasized that trust, cooperation, and collective responsibility are essential to achieving lasting peace and that community policing should focus on building partnerships and encouraging joint efforts to solve security challenges.

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