New Anambra CP promises community engagement to build more trust on policing

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By Madu Obi

The new Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Ama Oji has assumed office with a promise to emphasize on community engagement that will create more trust in policing .

Addressing reporters during his maiden press briefing at the state police headquarters in Awka, the CP said he does not believe in class concept, assuring that he would want the people to prioritize their needs, while the Police will follow them.

"We want the people to be part owners of policing strategies and our main strategy is to get down to the grassroots. When I came in, I gave strict directive to our men operating along all the roads, including those on the highways to always be mindful of their duty.

"We are going to operate on zero extortion and I am not joking about it. We have already started implementing it and I assure the people of Anambra State that we will sustain it .

"We therefore need the confidence and trust of the people to function effectively so that at the end of the day, the people will have confidence in us," he said.

He however warned the people not to form the habit of recording officers on duty merely to ridicule them, adding that if the officers take the laws into their hands by doing what they are not supposed to do and the recording is to create evidence, there is nothing wrong with it.

He also said that the command would adopt digital process and intelligence gathering to enhance police work.

He added: "We will create an atmosphere of legitimacy that will make the people to trust police because if there is no legitimacy in police operations, people won't cooperate.

"As I assume command, we shall undertake a comprehensive review of our policing strategies and operational capabilities. We will strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, improve operational efficiency, and deepen proactive crime prevention measures across the State.

"We shall also reinforce community policing initiatives, strengthen collaboration with sister security agencies, organized vigilante groups and other critical stakeholders, and continue to build public confidence through effective partnership and engagement.

"Our objective is clear—to make Anambra State safer, more secure and more peaceful for every resident and visitor."

According to him, Anambra State is blessed with industrious, resilient and enterprising people whose immense potentials can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, law and order, assuring that the Police command under his leadership is fully committed to creating and sustaining that enabling environment.

"I wish to assure all Ndi Anambra that we shall perform our constitutional responsibilities with integrity, fairness, professionalism and respect for the rule of law. We shall remain resolute in protecting lives and property, preventing crime and maintaining public order throughout the state", CP Ama Oji said.

CP Oji Ama takes over the leadership of the Anambra Command following the retirement of Assistant Inspector-General of Police,AIG Ikioye Orutugu.

A native of Ekata in Edda LGA of Ebonyi State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Jos. He commenced his police career as a Cadet Superintendent of Police and trained at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, before embarking on a wide-ranging career spanning intelligence, criminal investigation, tactical operations, administration, public relations and strategic command.