By Vincent Ujumadu
AWKA — The new Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Ama Oji, has assumed office with a promise to deepen community engagement and build greater public trust in policing across the state.
Ama Oji, who made the pledge during his maiden press briefing at the state police headquarters in Awka, said he would prioritise grassroots engagement and ensure that policing strategies were guided by the needs of residents.
The Commissioner said he did not believe in a “class concept” of policing, stressing that the people should determine their security priorities while the Police would respond accordingly.
“We want the people to be part owners of policing strategies and our main strategy is to get down to the grassroots. When I came in, I gave strict directive to our men operating along all the roads, including those on the highways, to always be mindful of their duty.
“We are going to operate on zero extortion and I am not joking about it. We have already started implementing it and I assure the people of Anambra State that we will sustain it.
“We therefore need the confidence and trust of the people to function effectively so that at the end of the day, the people will have confidence in us,” he said.
He, however, cautioned residents against recording police officers on duty merely to ridicule them, while acknowledging that recordings could be useful where officers violated the law and the evidence was needed to establish wrongdoing.
Ama Oji also said the command would deploy digital processes, intelligence gathering and technology-driven policing to enhance its operations.
He said: “We will create an atmosphere of legitimacy that will make the people to trust police because if there is no legitimacy in police operations, people won’t cooperate.
“As I assume command, we shall undertake a comprehensive review of our policing strategies and operational capabilities. We will strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, improve operational efficiency, and deepen proactive crime prevention measures across the State.
“We shall also reinforce community policing initiatives, strengthen collaboration with sister security agencies, organised vigilante groups and other critical stakeholders, and continue to build public confidence through effective partnership and engagement.
“Our objective is clear—to make Anambra State safer, more secure and more peaceful for every resident and visitor.”
According to him, Anambra State is blessed with industrious, resilient and enterprising people whose immense potential can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, law and order.
He assured residents that the Police Command under his leadership was committed to creating and sustaining such an environment.
“I wish to assure all Ndi Anambra that we shall perform our constitutional responsibilities with integrity, fairness, professionalism and respect for the rule of law. We shall remain resolute in protecting lives and property, preventing crime and maintaining public order throughout the state,” CP Ama Oji said.
Ama Oji took over the leadership of the Anambra Command following the retirement of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Ikioye Orutugu.
A native of Ekata in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Jos.
He commenced his police career as a Cadet Superintendent of Police and trained at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, before embarking on a wide-ranging career spanning intelligence, criminal investigation, tactical operations, administration, public relations and strategic command.
The post New Anambra CP vows community policing, zero extortion appeared first on Vanguard News.