New Abia CP, Afolabi, Assumes Duty, Promises Intelligence-Led Policing
The newly deployed Commissioner of Police (CP), Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has officially assumed duty, promising to strengthen intelligence gathering, community policing, professionalism and the welfare of police personnel in the state.
Afolabi took over the leadership of the Abia State Police Command from the outgoing Commissioner of Police, AIG Danladi Isa, during a formal handover ceremony held at the Command Headquarters on Bende Road, Umuahia.
Addressing journalists shortly after the handover, the new CP said his administration would build on the relative peace enjoyed by the state while introducing new strategies to prevent and combat crime.
He said intelligence gathering would be one of the major pillars of his administration, stressing that his background in intelligence would enable him to give the area the attention it deserved.
According to him, his first official engagement after assuming office would be with the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Intelligence, underscoring the importance his administration attaches to intelligence-led policing.
Afolabi said the Command would also strengthen its relationship with communities through what he described as community safety partnership, involving traditional rulers, youth leaders, religious leaders, hoteliers, pharmacists, school proprietors and other stakeholders.
He explained that regular engagement with communities would create mutual trust and encourage residents to provide useful information to the police on security challenges in their areas.
The new CP also identified capacity building as another priority of his administration, saying police personnel would receive training in areas including emotional intelligence, human rights, crime mapping, crime prevention and investigation.
He said officers would also be properly prepared for the forthcoming general elections through training on relevant electoral laws and other operational exercises.
“We need to look at our state of preparedness, now that the election is forthcoming,” Afolabi said, adding that officers would undertake physical and combat-readiness exercises to improve their operational fitness.
On police welfare, the Commissioner said the wellbeing of personnel would receive serious attention, noting that officers who are properly cared for would be in a better position to perform their duties effectively.
He equally promised to enforce discipline within the Command, stressing that professionalism and adherence to established rules would be non-negotiable.
Afolabi, who said he would combine discipline with mentoring, explained that officers who make mistakes would first be given opportunities to improve through training and guidance. However, he warned that personnel who deliberately engage in serious misconduct would face the appropriate disciplinary measures.
He said the disciplinary process would be followed fully against officers who violate the law, particularly in cases involving serious abuse of power.
The new Abia CP also promised to maintain a cordial and professional relationship with journalists in the state, describing the media as important partners in the fight against crime.
He recalled his previous relationship with journalists during his time as Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, saying he had always regarded the media as partners in policing.
According to him, the media have an important role to play in projecting the achievements of the police while also holding the Command accountable when necessary.
He therefore promised that journalists in Abia would have access to the Command and opportunities for regular engagement.
The Commissioner said his administration would operate in line with the policy direction of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, particularly the objective of building a police force that performs its duties with dignity and professionalism.
