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By Emeka Chiaghanam

 

Security, community partnership and the fight against crime took centre stage in Awka as government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies and community leaders gathered for a high-level Stakeholders' Discussion on Security in Anambra State, where participants strongly condemned ethnic profiling and called for deeper collaboration to sustain the state's improving security situation.

The event, held at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, formed part of the operational visit of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-East and brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders under the theme of collective action for a safer Anambra.

A major highlight of the meeting was the unanimous rejection of attempts to label entire ethnic groups as criminals because of the actions of a few individuals.

Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Logistics and Supplies and the South-East Zone, Mr Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, warned against the growing tendency to attach criminal activities to particular ethnic groups.

He specifically criticised the practice of describing incidents involving cattle grazing disputes or attacks on farmers as the actions of "Fulani herdsmen" without proper investigation.

According to him, such broad generalisations undermine professional policing, complicate investigations and divert attention from identifying the actual perpetrators of crime.

"It is not every Fulani man that takes cattle into farmlands, just as it is not everybody that destroys crops," he said.

"When crime is viewed through an ethnic lens, it becomes more difficult to address the real issues and bring offenders to justice."

The position was echoed by the National Deputy Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, who also condemned ethnic profiling and urged Nigerians to focus on individual accountability rather than collective blame.

Beyond discussions on profiling, participants praised the contributions of the Anambra State-backed security outfit, Agunechemba, and its operational arm, Udogachiha, for helping to reduce crime across the state.

Mr Onwuemelie commended the collaboration between the vigilante group and conventional security agencies, describing the partnership as one of the factors behind the relative improvement in security.

However, he stressed the need for continuous training, retraining and capacity building for both local vigilantes and conventional security personnel to enable them respond effectively to emerging security threats.

He further emphasised that security remains a shared responsibility, calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies through intelligence sharing and community engagement.

Representing the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, the traditional ruler of Uke, Igwe Surveyor Agbala, highlighted the critical role of information sharing in crime prevention.

While commending security agencies, he noted that operational challenges such as inadequate funding, logistics constraints, manpower shortages and insufficient equipment sometimes hinder prompt responses to distress calls.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr Ikioye Orutugu, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Ibrahim Ezekiel, reaffirmed the command's commitment to strengthening partnerships aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka (Okebo II), credited the Anambra State Government and the State House of Assembly for establishing Agunechemba through legislation, describing the initiative as a major contributor to the improved security being enjoyed in many parts of the state.

In his contribution, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Anambra State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, Mr Ikechukwu Ezenwankwo, identified undue interference by influential individuals in criminal investigations as a major obstacle to effective law enforcement.

He also pointed to leadership disputes between some community presidents-general and traditional rulers as recurring sources of tension that often undermine peace and security efforts.

Throughout the discussion, speakers repeatedly called for stronger cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and Agunechemba, with several participants arguing that the success of community-based security initiatives strengthens the case for state policing.

Earlier in the day, the Deputy Inspector-General paid a courtesy visit to Ezeuzu Awka II, reaffirming the importance of traditional institutions in promoting peace, resolving conflicts and gathering grassroots intelligence.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to work together in tackling crime, strengthening public trust and building safer communities across Anambra State.

Among those in attendance were heads of security agencies, vigilante leaders, members of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, the Secretary to the State Government, representatives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, transport unions, civil society organisations, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and members of the Northern community resident in the state.

The message from the gathering was clear: security is most effective when communities and law enforcement work hand in hand, united by trust rather than divided by ethnic stereotypes.