By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, MNIPS, PhD, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining peace and order across communities in the state through dialogue, collaboration, and proactive engagement with stakeholders.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Toochukwu Ikenga; this came as the Police Commissioner, on over the weekend, convened a high-level peace dialogue with stakeholders of Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area, aimed at addressing lingering communal disputes and restoring lasting harmony in the area.
The PPRO said the peace meeting, which was held at the compound of St. Vincent Primary School, Ifite-Ani Nimo, attracted key leaders and representatives of the community, including the Local Government Chairman, the traditional ruler, town union executives, youth representatives, women leaders, and security partners from Nimo.
Speaking at the meeting, CP Orutugu explained that the peace dialogue was part of the Command’s ongoing community engagement strategy geared towards strengthening security, fostering understanding among warring groups, and ensuring that conflicts are resolved through peaceful and lawful means.
The Police Chief maintained that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation between the Police and the people, stressing that policing is most effective when communities see themselves as partners in maintaining order.
According to him, their duty as Police is not only to enforce the law but also to prevent conflict before it escalates. He further reminded them that peace and security can only thrive when community members collaborate with security agencies and embrace reconciliation, further urging then to put aside their grievances and work together for the progress of Nimo.
CP Orutugu also urged community leaders to shun actions capable of causing tension or disrupting public peace, while also emphasizing that the Command will continue to deploy mediation and conflict-resolution mechanisms to ensure stability in all parts of the state.
In their separate remarks, the Local Government Chairman, the Traditional Ruler, Town Union executives, Traditional Council members, Youth and Women leaders, among other stakeholders, commended CP Orutugu for his proactive intervention, describing his visit as timely and impactful. They noted that the peace dialogue has rekindled hope for reconciliation and collective progress in Nimo.
They also pledged their readiness to support the Police in sustaining peace and ensuring that communal disagreements are resolved amicably, in line with the Command’s vision for a more peaceful and secure Anambra State.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with all parties agreeing to maintain continuous dialogue, build trust, and strengthen collaboration with security agencies toward achieving lasting peace in Nimo and the entire Njikoka Local Government Area.
