The Police Commissioner in Cross River State, southern Nigeria, Geoffrey Ordue, has charged officers and men to strengthen community policing while remaining firm, professional and decisive in tackling criminality.
Ordue gave the charge during a familiarisation tour of Area Commands and Divisions across the northern and central senatorial districts of the state, stressing that effective policing requires public cooperation alongside a firm commitment to law enforcement.
This was contained in separate statements signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah.
“Security is everybody’s business,” the commissioner said, urging officers to “strengthen engagement with residents, traditional rulers, youth groups and other stakeholders to build trust, improve intelligence gathering and protect lives and property.”
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He also charged officers to conduct thorough investigations and ensure the diligent and lawful prosecution of offenders without fear or favour.
According to him, “community policing must not be mistaken for weakness in law enforcement, just as firmness against criminality must not compromise human rights, professionalism or due process.”
The tour covered Ogoja and Ikom Area Commands as well as Akamkpa and Ugep Area Commands.
Strengthen inter-agency collaboration
In a related development, Ordue reaffirmed the importance of stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service to tackle emerging threats and protect critical infrastructure.
He gave the assurance when he received the newly posted Acting Customs Area Controller for Cross River, Calabar Free Trade Zone and Akwa Ibom Commands, Deputy Controller N. I. Nwala, on a courtesy visit to the Police Command Headquarters in Calabar, the state capital.
Discussions focused on intelligence sharing, operational coordination and strengthening existing ties between the two agencies.
The two agencies pledged to “improve communication and coordinate operations against threats to lives, property and critical economic infrastructure.”
The Police Command also urged residents to provide credible information and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to sustain peace across Cross River State.
