The State Commander of Abia State Community Policing and Vigilante, Apostle Daniel Iheadindueme, has urged traditional rulers across the state to support the outfit by mobilizing and enrolling youths from their respective communities into the security outfit.
Apostle Iheadindueme who made the call at Isiala Ngwa North LGA shortly after his team successfully raided a criminal hideout in the bush between Ihie and Ntigha boundary and recovered food items and live cartridges belonging to the syndicate, noted that grassroots security remains the most effective strategy in safeguarding rural communities against rising criminal activities.
The ASCP State Commander explained that with more local youths actively involved in community policing, it would be easier to detect and neutralize potential threats before they escalate, added that community policing and vigilante operations have already recorded significant successes in reducing cases of burglary, kidnapping, and cult-related crimes in many rural parts of the state.
According to him, the progress has been made possible through collaborative efforts with local stakeholders and the unwavering support of Governor Alex Otti and commended the Governor for his zero-tolerance approach to crime as well as for his strong backing of security structures at the grassroots.
“The governor’s commitment to a crime-free Abia is not in words alone. He has continued to provide logistics, training support, and motivation for local security agents, and that is why we are making headway,” Apostle Iheadindueme stated.
Apostle Iheadindueme further lauded the Governor Otti’s strategic investments in intelligence gathering and surveillance, which have significantly bolstered the capacity of community policing outfits to respond promptly to security threats and also called on traditional rulers to reciprocate the state government’s efforts by taking proactive steps in enrolling responsible and trustworthy youths into the vigilante group.
“Traditional rulers are key players in community security. We cannot succeed without their full cooperation. They know their communities and their youths. We are appealing to them to help us bring more capable hands on board,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Apostle Iheadindueme disclosed that the vigilante service has been working closely with other security agencies in the state to ensure a coordinated and robust response to crime, especially in the hinterlands.
He reiterated the outfits unwavering commitment to ensuring peace and security in all parts of Abia, stressing that no part of the state would be allowed to serve as a safe haven for criminal elements under the current administration.
