As part of efforts to strengthen collaboration, build public trust, and enhance security across Ebonyi state, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the South-East, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, has convened a strategic security meeting with critical stakeholders in the State.
The meeting, held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Command Headquarters, Abakaliki, brought together traditional rulers, Chief Security Officers (CSOs) of various communities, religious leaders, political office holders, and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The engagement, according to the DIG, was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police for senior police officers to regularly interface with stakeholders within their respective zones.
Addressing participants, Onwuemelie noted that the security challenges confronting Ebonyi State include killings arising from land disputes, youth-related reprisal attacks, violence linked to cattle herding activities, domestic murders, child trafficking, child abuse, highway robberies, attacks on schools, and protests targeted at police formations.
He stressed that addressing these challenges requires collective responsibility and closer cooperation between security agencies and members of the public.
According to him, community participation remains crucial in intelligence gathering and crime prevention, adding that the police cannot effectively secure lives and property without the support of citizens.
The DIG further disclosed that the Federal Government is aware of the operational challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force and is taking steps to address them within available resources.
He revealed that the House of Representatives recently initiated moves to amend the Police Trust Fund Act to provide additional funding support to the force through a proposed one per cent allocation from budgets at all tiers of government.
Speaking during the meeting, the traditional ruler of Okposi Autonomous Community, Eze Onyiba Cosmas Agwu, decried the inadequate logistics and manpower available to police divisions across Ebonyi State.
He lamented that many police stations lack operational vehicles, office materials, and sufficient personnel to effectively respond to security threats.
According to the monarch, the shortage of manpower has significantly affected policing in rural communities, where officers often struggle to attend promptly to complaints due to a lack of vehicles and other essential resources.
He recalled that police divisions previously maintained standby officers for emergencies, a situation he said has changed drastically in recent years.
Eze Agwu also expressed concern over the growing cases of attacks and killings involving traditional rulers across the country.
He appealed to the Nigeria Police Force to consider assigning at least one police officer to each traditional ruler for personal protection, noting that the security of traditional institutions is increasingly under threat.
Also contributing, a market leader from Ezza South Local Government Area, Mr. Nwakpa Luios, called for urgent improvement in police logistics and manpower.
He cited increasing incidents of livestock theft and burglary at the Onueke market, alleging that armed criminals invaded the market on June 15 and operated freely because security personnel lacked the resources to respond effectively.
Nwakpa recounted that efforts to reach security authorities during the attack yielded little result, as local police officers reportedly complained of inadequate personnel and faulty operational vehicles.
He urged the authorities to deploy additional officers and provide the necessary equipment needed to combat rising criminal activities in the area, warning that continued neglect could further embolden criminal elements targeting traders and residents.
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