Stakeholders from Nkanu West, Nkanu East and Aninri Local Government Areas met with Commissioner of Police Bitrus Giwa at a zonal security town hall in Nkanu West, where community leaders identified key security concerns and pledged stronger collaboration with law enforcement.
The Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. John Chukwuma Ogbodo, hosted a Zonal Security Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, bringing together stakeholders from Nkanu West, Nkanu East and Aninri Local Government Areas to discuss pressing security challenges and strengthen collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Bitrus Giwa, who led a high-powered delegation of security personnel to engage directly with traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders and other stakeholders on strategies to improve security across the three councils.
Welcoming participants, Hon. Ogbodo commended Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his unwavering commitment to making Enugu one of Nigeria’s safest states through sustained investments in security and public safety.
He described the governor as an exceptional leader whose administration continues to prioritise the protection of lives and property across the state.
The council chairman also praised CP Giwa for his professionalism, dedication and proactive leadership in the fight against crime, noting that his efforts have strengthened public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force across Enugu State.
During the interactive session, CP Giwa encouraged residents and community leaders to speak openly about security challenges affecting their communities, assuring them that the Enugu State Police Command remains committed to acting promptly on credible intelligence.
Stakeholders highlighted several concerns requiring urgent attention, including youth involvement in drug abuse, communal disputes, allegations of homosexual activities, and delays in police response to emergency situations.
Responding to the issues raised, the Commissioner of Police assured participants that his office remains accessible for the submission of intelligence and complaints capable of assisting security agencies in preventing crime.
He also appealed to communities to encourage more young people to join the Nigeria Police Force, explaining that manpower shortages continue to limit the police’s ability to maintain a consistent presence in every community.
Addressing a question from one of the traditional rulers on why arrests are sometimes carried out without prior notification to the community’s Igwe, CP Giwa explained that police operations are intelligence-driven and guided by operational considerations.
He added that, in some cases, certain traditional institutions have been compromised or have been unable to effectively check criminal activities within their communities, making confidentiality essential to successful operations.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State Chapter, and Executive Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh, alongside the Executive Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, commended Governor Mbah for making security a central focus of his administration.
The two council chairmen also applauded CP Giwa and officers of the Enugu State Police Command for their commitment to maintaining peace and order, while urging residents to support security agencies by providing timely and useful information.
They stressed that effective security can only be achieved through sustained cooperation between law enforcement agencies and members of the public.
The meeting concluded with goodwill messages and votes of thanks delivered by HRH Okeke Kingsley, Eze Ogboha II, and the Area Commander, Agbani Area Command, ACP Lateef Alabi, who appreciated the Commissioner of Police and his delegation for engaging directly with stakeholders and wished them a safe return journey.
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