Security authorities in Imo State are shifting focus toward collaboration, as the Police Command convened a high-level stakeholders’ summit in New Owerri aimed at strengthening community-driven policing.
The meeting, held on March 3, 2026, brought together traditional rulers, government officials, business leaders, youth representatives, and residents to address growing security concerns and chart a more coordinated response.
At the centre of the discussion was a clear message: policing alone is no longer enough.
Representing the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Hamzat Abdulkadir, stressed that sustainable security depends on active public involvement.
He urged residents to see security as a shared responsibility, calling for consistent cooperation between citizens and law enforcement agencies to protect lives and property.
The summit was hosted by the Divisional Police Officer of New Owerri, CSP Safiyanu Usman Gwarzo, who facilitated open discussions where participants raised concerns and предлож solutions tailored to the realities on ground.
Traditional institutions also threw their weight behind the initiative.
HRM Eze Dr. Lucky Okoro, representing the Eze Imo, described the engagement as both timely and necessary, noting that community trust and collaboration remain critical to maintaining peace and enabling development in the area.
Security chiefs at the event—including the Area Commander, Owerri Urban, and senior intelligence and tactical officers—highlighted the need for intelligence-driven operations, stronger communication channels, and mutual trust between residents and security operatives.
They warned that without reliable information from the public, even the most sophisticated security strategies would fall short.
Beyond dialogue, the summit reflects a broader shift toward proactive policing—one that prioritises prevention over reaction.
For residents of New Owerri, the implications are immediate.
More engagement, more vigilance, and a growing expectation that communities themselves will play a frontline role in identifying and reporting threats.
The Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a visible and responsive presence, while urging citizens to provide credible and timely information to support ongoing operations.
The real test, however, lies ahead.
Summits create conversation—but security improves only when those conversations turn into action.
