By Isaac Mission
The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has pledged to adopt a more intelligence-driven approach to policing while maintaining zero tolerance for corruption, extortion and other forms of misconduct.
Afolabi made the commitment during his first briefing with Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, heads of departments and commanders of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Afolabi said his primary objective was to protect lives and property, enforce the law fairly and ensure that police personnel operated with integrity and professionalism.
He said the Command would align its activities with the strategic reforms of the Inspector-General of Police, placing emphasis on accountability, professionalism and responsiveness.
The new CP warned officers against extortion, bribery and other actions that could damage public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force. He stressed that misconduct would attract firm action under his leadership.
Afolabi also identified intelligence gathering as a major component of his policing strategy. He directed officers to improve their skills in intelligence collection, investigations, crime mapping and crime prevention.
He urged personnel to develop a better understanding of the state’s crime patterns and geography, while also improving their knowledge of human rights, electoral laws and emotional intelligence.
The commissioner said continuous training and retraining would be encouraged to ensure officers were adequately prepared to carry out their responsibilities effectively and professionally.
He further called for stronger cooperation between the police and members of the public, including community leaders, stakeholders and other security agencies.
According to him, the fight against crime cannot be won by the police alone, adding that closer collaboration with communities would improve intelligence sharing, strengthen security and restore public confidence.
While demanding civility and professionalism from officers, Afolabi cautioned that such qualities should not be interpreted as weakness. He directed personnel to remain disciplined, firm and courageous while performing their lawful duties.
The commissioner also ordered stricter enforcement of traffic regulations across Abia State. He instructed traffic officers to work with relevant agencies to improve compliance and reduce congestion.
Afolabi commended the Abia State Government for its efforts toward improving development and security, and pledged continued cooperation with other security agencies.
He assured residents that the Command would intensify efforts to disrupt criminal activities and prevent Abia from becoming a refuge for criminals.
The CP said his administration would focus on professional, intelligence-led policing aimed at reducing crime, improving public trust and ensuring the safety of residents throughout the state.
