The Nigeria Police Force, Cross River State command has unveiled three core key principles adopted to enhance security in all the 18 local government areas.
The Police Commissioner, Rashid Afegbua gave the hint during a press conference with journalists in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
Mr. Afegbua explained that “the principles, which include visible presence, intelligence-led policing and partnership-driven collaboration, aimed at strengthening safety across the state.”
He stated that his security vision is to build a “safe, stable and law-abiding Cross River where criminal elements are denied the space to operate and citizens feel protected, not just policed.”
According to him, the command has intensified efforts to disrupt criminal networks using targeted intelligence, resulting in the identification and neutralisation of several criminal cells across the state.
Response capacity
He explained that “the police have also expanded visibility policing, increasing deployment and response capacity in urban centres, rural communities and border corridors to deter criminal activity.”
Mr Afegbua stated that restoring trust and accountability between officers and communities remains a central focus of his leadership.
He noted that citizens are beginning to show renewed confidence in the police following deliberate actions to improve engagement and responsiveness.
The Commissioner further stated that inter-agency collaboration has been strengthened to ensure more coordinated security interventions, noting that “this has helped close operational gaps and improved information-sharing among security agencies.”
Mr. Afegbua further stated that “the principles coupled with strategic deployment of tactical operations teams across the 18 Council areas led to recovery of illegal arms and ammunition including the seizure of more than 520 kilos of cannabis sativa and other prohibited drugs.”
Mr. Afegbua decried the heightened use of prescription drugs amongst young people.
He said; “I am appealing to parents, guardians and civil society organisations including the media to join in the campaign against drug abuse amongst our youths. The seizure were made are from teenagers, young people. It is our collective duty to help our children and wards.”
Mr. Afegbua expressed appreciation to the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force, Kayode Egbetokun, for the privilege to serve in Cross River State and commended Governor Bassey Otu for the collaboration to enhance its strategic operations.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining the current momentum, promising that ongoing reforms and operations would continue to prioritise the safety and well-being of residents across the State.
Lateefah Ibrahim