The Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Hope Okafor, has urged the newly sworn-in chairmen of the state’s 13 Local Government Areas to work closely with security agencies to strengthen grassroots security and maintain peace across the state.
yOkafor gave the charge on Friday during a strategic security meeting with the newly inaugurated local government chairmen in Ebonyi State.
The police commissioner congratulated the council chairmen on their assumption of office and emphasized the importance of stronger cooperation between local government authorities and security agencies in identifying and addressing security threats at the grassroots.
She encouraged the chairmen to remain accessible to residents by regularly visiting communities, engaging with local people and promptly identifying emerging security concerns before they develop into major crises.
Okafor also directed the council chairmen to support the activities of their respective Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), stressing the need for effective coordination between local government authorities and the police.
She further stated that vigilante groups operating across the 13 LGAs must be properly profiled by the police to ensure effective supervision, accountability and compliance with existing laws.
With political activities expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the commissioner cautioned the local government chairmen against making inflammatory, hateful or inciting comments that could worsen political tensions.
She also urged the council leaders to restrain their supporters from making provocative statements capable of disrupting public order.
Okafor warned that the Ebonyi State Police Command would not tolerate actions capable of threatening peace and security in the state.
The commissioner also called on the chairmen to adopt dialogue and early intervention in resolving communal disputes, rather than allowing disagreements to escalate into violence.
She urged the local government authorities to organize public awareness campaigns against cultism and educate parents and young people about the methods allegedly used by child traffickers to lure unsuspecting families.
Speaking during the meeting, the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Timothy Nwachi, commended the commissioner for the security initiatives introduced since she assumed office.
Nwachi said he had personally observed the impact of the police command’s renewed approach to policing in Afikpo Local Government Area.
In her vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ebonyi State and Chairman of Izzi LGA, Helen Aduga, appreciated the commissioner for convening the security meeting.
Aduga pledged the commitment of the council chairmen to implementing the resolutions reached during the meeting.
She also appealed to the police commissioner to encourage DPOs across Ebonyi State to maintain regular communication and close working relationships with the local government chairmen to improve security coordination at the grassroots.
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