By Amara Agha, Abakaliki
The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi state, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, has intensified moves to strengthen grassroots security architecture ahead of the 2027 general elections with a strong appeal to traditional rulers and community leaders to rise against political violence, cultism and other criminal activities in the state.
Quoting Police signal No. AZ.:5200/EBS/PPRO/VOL.9/76, the police commissioner made the call during a strategic engagement with the Chairman of Ebonyi State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Ezeogo Charles Mkpuma, at his palace in Ezzama community, Ezza South local government area.
The visit, according to the police command, formed part of ongoing efforts under the Nigeria Police Force community policing initiative aimed at deepening intelligence gathering and building stronger partnerships between the police and local communities.
Speaking during the meeting, CP Okafor said traditional institutions remained critical stakeholders in maintaining peace and security, stressing that the success of policing depends largely on cooperation from community leaders and residents.
She urged royal fathers across the state to caution youths against violence and criminality as political activities gradually gather momentum, warning that the command would not tolerate any act capable of threatening public peace.
The police commissioner also appealed to residents to volunteer credible and timely information to security agencies, noting that intelligence supplied by communities remained one of the most effective weapons against crime.
She further charged parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards closely to prevent them from being lured into cultism, drug abuse and violent conduct.
Responding, HRM Mkpuma commended the police command for its swift response to security challenges in the state and assured the commissioner of the unwavering support of traditional rulers in the fight against crime.
The monarch pledged that traditional institutions would intensify grassroots sensitisation against violence and continue to work closely with security agencies to preserve peace in communities.
The commissioner also held a separate meeting with community leaders at the Ezza South Divisional Headquarters, Onueke, where she reaffirmed the command’s determination to protect lives and property across Ebonyi.
Speaking on behalf of the community leaders, President-General of Nsokara community, Mr. Ikechukwu Nwafor, lauded the commissioner for providing an operational vehicle to the Ezza South Division, saying the intervention had boosted policing capacity and improved security response within the area.
