The Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS) in Ebonyi State, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Habila Daniel, has received commendations for his professionalism, discipline, investigative diligence and commitment to justice.
The commendation came from an Abakaliki-based estate manager, Ikechukwu Ajero, popularly known as Onodiugo, and another resident, Ferdinand Ugwu, who praised the police officer for his patience, fairness and respect for human dignity while handling investigations.
The residents said the Ebonyi SPACS commander had demonstrated that effective policing does not require intimidation or hostility, noting that law enforcement officers can perform their duties firmly while respecting the rights of citizens.
They acknowledged that concerns about corruption, abuse of power and misconduct among some police personnel had affected public perception of the Nigeria Police Force. However, they maintained that the actions of officers who uphold professional standards should also receive public recognition.
According to them, rebuilding public trust in the police requires more than official statements and public relations campaigns. They said consistent demonstrations of accountability, fairness and professionalism in interactions with citizens are essential to restoring confidence in the institution.
The residents attributed their commendation of Daniel to his handling of complaints and investigations, particularly his willingness to listen to different parties, assess issues objectively and allow individuals to express their concerns without unnecessary pressure.
They stressed that effective police investigations require patience, intelligence, emotional discipline and sound judgment. They also maintained that complaints should be carefully examined and allegations properly investigated before conclusions are reached.
The residents further noted that professionalism and firmness could coexist, explaining that police officers can enforce the law without compromising due process or the dignity of people involved in investigations.
As the officer in charge of SPACS in Ebonyi State, Daniel oversees a specialised unit tasked with combating cultism and related criminal activities. The position requires operational vigilance, investigative competence and restraint in the discharge of police duties.
They argued that officers serving in specialised police units must balance effective crime prevention with fairness and respect for the rule of law to ensure that security operations strengthen public confidence rather than undermine it.
Also commenting on the officer’s conduct, journalist Chief Felix Uka recalled an encounter during a courtesy visit by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor.
Uka said he had observed during the visit that restoring the public image of the police would require visible improvements in the conduct of personnel, rather than assurances alone.
He explained that his subsequent observations of Daniel’s professional disposition had reinforced his belief that the behaviour of individual officers plays a significant role in rebuilding public confidence in the police.
The journalist consequently called for the Ebonyi SPACS commander to be considered for an Award of Excellence in recognition of his discipline, approachability, investigative diligence and commitment to responsible policing.
According to Uka, recognising officers who demonstrate integrity and professionalism could encourage others to uphold similar standards in their daily duties.
He added that such recognition would also reassure members of the public that the Nigeria Police Force has personnel committed to justice, accountability and service.
Uka maintained that restoring confidence in the police requires a collective institutional effort, but stressed that the process begins with individual officers who consistently demonstrate integrity and respect for citizens in the performance of their responsibilities.
He commended Daniel for exemplifying these values and urged the police authorities to identify and reward personnel whose conduct promotes public trust and strengthens the administration of justice.
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