By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has undertaken to bear the full medical expenses of the only surviving child among the four children recently rescued unconscious in Ideani, Idemili South Local Government Area of the State, as the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, outlined a fresh policing approach centred on intelligence, technology, community partnership and public trust.
CP Oji Ama disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists for the first time since assuming office as the 36th Commissioner of Police in Anambra State.
The Commissioner, who said he had received comprehensive briefings on the security situation across the State, expressed sadness over the recent incident in Ideani, in which four children aged 6, 9, 12 and 15 were found unconscious, with three of them subsequently confirmed dead despite efforts by medical personnel to save them.
The fourth child, according to the CP, is still receiving intensive medical treatment and fighting for survival.
He said the Command had decided to take full responsibility for the child’s medical expenses and would continue to monitor the treatment and recovery process to ensure that the necessary medical interventions were provided.
The development comes amid ongoing concerns and public interest in the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the Police Command assuring that the investigation into what happened would be handled professionally.
Beyond the immediate incident, the new Commissioner used his maiden interaction with the media to give an insight into the policing direction he intends to pursue in Anambra, stressing that the Command would review its strategies and operational capabilities with a view to making crime prevention more proactive and facilitating speedy investigation of matters.
He identified intelligence-led policing, digital policing, technology-driven operations, stronger investigations and deeper community engagement as some of the areas that would receive greater attention under his leadership.
According to him, traditional policing alone would no longer be sufficient to effectively confront the changing nature of criminality, hence the need to strengthen the use of technology and intelligence in identifying, preventing and investigating crimes.
He also promised to strengthen collaboration between the Police, sister security agencies, organised vigilante groups, traditional institutions, community leaders, youths, women and other stakeholders.
Fielding questions from newsmen, the Commissioner, who had previously served as Area Commander in Nnewi, also spoke on the need to restore confidence among residents, particularly in areas where Sit-at-Home and fear of insecurity has continued to affect normal social and economic activities.
He said the Police would work towards taking its security strategies to the grassroots, stressing that residents must become partners and co-owners of policing efforts rather than mere recipients of security services.
According to him, public trust and legitimacy are essential to effective policing because residents are more likely to volunteer useful information and cooperate with security agencies when they believe that the Police are acting fairly and within the law.
The CP also declared a zero-tolerance approach to extortion by police personnel, saying he had already issued directives to officers operating on major highways and at police stations against such practices.
He further assured residents that intimidation would not be tolerated and that law-abiding citizens should be able to go about their legitimate businesses without harassment or unnecessary hindrance.
Responding to the question about the practice of members of the public recording police officers while on duty, the Commissioner explained that he would not object to citizens making recordings where such recordings are intended to document alleged misconduct or create evidence of wrongdoing by an officer.
He, however, cautioned against deliberately recording officers for the purpose of obstructing them from carrying out lawful duties or provoking confrontations.
He said the Police would equally be expected to operate fairly and professionally, noting that citizens should be able to assess the conduct of officers and conclude that their actions were just and within the law.
The position comes at a time when the use of mobile phones to record encounters between security personnel and members of the public has become increasingly common, particularly in cases involving alleged extortion, harassment or abuse.
CP Oji Ama said the ultimate objective was to build a policing system in which both the Police and members of the public understand their responsibilities and work together to maintain order.
He also promised to pay particular attention to pending investigations, noting that intelligence-led investigation would be strengthened to ensure that criminal cases are properly pursued and brought to logical conclusions.
The Commissioner reiterated the Command’s commitment to deepen its community policing strategy, especially in areas where residents have continued to express concerns over fear of criminal activities.
He urged Ndi Anambra to support the Police by providing timely and credible information about suspicious persons, movements and activities, stressing that effective policing cannot be achieved by security agencies alone.
He also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding while assuring them that the Command would remain committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order.
The Commissioner commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for finding him worthy of being posted to Anambra State, while also commending the officers and men of the Command, other security agencies and the people of Anambra for their sacrifices and cooperation in maintaining peace in the State.
He specially acknowledged the support of the Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to the Police and other security agencies.
CP Ama, who assumed duty in Anambra on August 10 following the retirement of former Commissioner of Police, AIG Ikioye Orutugu, said his administration would build on existing security gains while introducing measures capable of responding to emerging security challenges.
The Commissioner, who is a former Police Public Relations Officer, reassured his commitment to work with the media, while also urging journalists to continue to play their role responsibly by providing factual and balanced information to the public, particularly during periods of heightened security concerns.
CP Ama assured Ndi Anambra that the Police Command under his leadership would remain committed to protecting lives and property, preventing crime, upholding the rule of law and creating an atmosphere where residents, visitors and businesses can operate without fear.
