Awka – The new Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Tony Olofu says the State Police Command under his watch, is committed to deploying the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to address the various intra and inter communal clashes in the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Tony Olofu disclosed this in his maiden media chat in Awka on Thursday.
Olofu, who is the 31st Commissioner of Police in Anambra, was before his latest appointment, the Director, Operations and Intelligence, National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons at the Office of the National Security Adviser ONSA, Abuja.
He replaces CP Chris Owolabi, who was redeployed to Force Headquarters, Abuja
Addressing newsmen, Olofu said alongside the command’s strong resolve to fight all forms of violent crimes, it will also take advantage of the ADR mechanism and community policing principles where applicable, to resolve specific problems and issues.
The Anambra CP craved the support of journalists towards crime fighting, saying the media is a strong partner in the effort.
“There is no doubt, that as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, you are critical partners in the peace and security architecture of the state. Your primary role in communicating effectively and transparently to the general public, major incidents in our country confers on you the position of stakeholders. How we manage this vital and sensitive role especially at this critical time when elections are approaching should weigh in favour of our national interest. I therefore count on your valuable support devoid of sentiments to be able to effectively police Anambra State. I wish to extend my hand of fellowship and urge you all to join me in fighting acts of criminality in the state, especially by reporting security-related incidents in the most professional and objective manner,” he appealed.
Olofu also said the State Police Command under his watch, will explore its intelligence assets and robust synergy with sister agencies to fight crime to a standstill in Anambra.
The CP who identified some teething security challenges the state is facing to include armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, lad disputes, kingship tussles, farmers/herders clashes, secessionist agitations, said he will take drastic measures in crime prevention across the state.
“In keeping with the vision of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman, to rejig and stabilize the security architecture to be able to fully reclaim the public space across the country as well as maintain law and order, the Command under my watch shall take drastic measures in crime prevention across the state. We will undertake critical threat analysis, embark on painstaking intelligence gathering through strategic deployment of our intelligence assets, robust synergy with sister security agencies, organized vigilante groups and other stakeholders. To this end, the Command shall enhance crime fighting strategies that will be more proactive to dominate the public space and checkmate acts of criminality in the state,” Olofu promised.
The Anambra police boss also committed to addressing the issues of professional misconduct on the part of some police officers and men such as extortion, unlawful detention and incivility to members of the public, asking the public to always be bold to report such for prompt action.
“I am not unmindful of other challenges bordering on professional misconduct on the part of our officers and men such as extortion, unlawful detention and incivility to members of the public among others. I urge members of the public to promptly report erring officers to the Command for appropriate sanction as I am firm in my believe that every resident or visitor to Anambra State deserves to be treated decently in line with the policing principles handed down by the IGP Alkali Baba Usman He urged Anambra people to be law-abiding, vigilant and continue to partner the Police and other security agencies, to effectively combat all forms of criminality in the state,” he said.
Olofu urged people of Anambra State to remain law-abiding, vigilant and continue to partner and support the Police and other security agencies, as they synergize and collaborate towards combating all forms of criminality as well as ensure public security and safety in the state.
Aacording to him, “those who have been misled to take to crime, are warned to retrace their steps as the command is poised to deal squarely with all acts of criminality without regard for status.”
