Police chief urges early information sharing as Abia community leaders raise security concerns

DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, Deputy Inspector‑General of Police for the South East zone, called on Abia State community leaders to provide early information on local security challenges, enabling quicker police responses.

He made the appeal during a strategic meeting in Umuahia on Monday, where he convened traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other security stakeholders to discuss Abia State’s security issues.

Onwuemelie said he had been instructed by Inspector‑General Olatunji Disu to strengthen community partnerships for crime prevention. He identified key security concerns in the state, such as youth violence in Aba, armed robbery, domestic violence, and cult‑related activities.

He urged lawful collaboration between community vigilante groups and security agencies to combat crime in Abia.

The DIG explained that engaging stakeholders allowed the police to hear community concerns, foster collaboration, prevent crime, and build trust between the police and the public in Abia.

During his remarks, Eze Linus Nto Mba, Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, urged police and other security agencies to prevent invasions of Abia communities, noting similar incidents elsewhere in the country.

He also urged all traditional rulers in Abia to verify the identity of anyone entering their communities, noting that bandits often target areas far from urban centers.

Pastor Joseph Okowu, President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Abia State branch, also spoke at the meeting. He called for increased police patrols around schools, arguing that the measure would safeguard pupils and teachers from bandit attacks.