By Collins Osuji, JP
A month ago, I wrote a piece highlighting the commendable efforts made by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma towards addressing security issues that had bedeviled the state in the recent past.
In the same piece, I categorically stated that, the CP, in his few weeks in office, had demonstrated excellent and purposeful driven ideas capable of facilitating the achievement of the desired security and peace in the state.
I did also say that CP Danjuma had so far taken several steps in the right direction aimed at, among other things, restoring confidence of the people on the police and their operations in the state.
Recall that immediately he assumed office, he embarked on what is termed "Show of Force Exercise" and confidence-building tour across the length and breadth of the state, including the security feared areas, like Njaba, Oru East and West, Orlu, Orsu, Okigwe among others.
During the tours, he met with critical stakeholders of the state, including traders, journalists, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, politicians and students' leaders, assuring them of effective policing, while also soliciting their support and cooperation to the command.
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I also gave instances of how CP Danjuma explored his leadership dexterity, tactical security ingenuity and vast experience to achieve the desired results in combating crimes and criminality within the short period of his arrival in the state.
We are all aware of the successes recorded by him in areas of apprehending notorious non-state actors, rescuing kidnapped victims, intercepting violent crimes and attacks, dealing with corrupt officers among others within the period under review.
In the midst of the odds then, the CP kept on reassuring Imo people of the determined effort of the command under his watch to stamp out violent crimes and other related activities that threaten security of the state.
He reiterated the fact that to achieve a crime free Imo, all hands must be on desks. Hence he continuously appealed as well as solicited public trust, cooperation and support for the police and the other security agencies in the state to encourage them achieve the assigned task.
CP Danjuma also maintained that it could only be through the achievement of adequate security, peace and stability that Imo economy or economic activities in the state will thrive again.
More again, he tasked the men and officers of the command on proactiveness and professionalism as well as warned them against indulging in any act capable of jeopardizing efforts to guarantee a peaceful and prosperous Imo.
This was after he vowed to deal decisively with any of his men who indulged in corrupt practice, exhibited professional misconduct and/or violated the fundamental human rights of suspects. The red lines included extortion, brutalization, illegal detention, among others.
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For instance, in his inaugural strategic meeting with the top police chiefs of the command, he said, "I am profoundly grateful to the Almighty God for giving me this ample opportunity to serve as the Commissioner of Police in the Eastern Heartland. It’s a challenging task that I am willing to embrace with utmost diligence and unwavering dedication.
"On my arrival at the command, I was briefed on the multi-faceted security challenges bedeviling the state. These challenges require the unwavering dedication of the entire officers and men of the command as well as the active support and cooperation of Ndi Imo to face it head on.
"Let me state it categorically clear that my administration will work in robust synergy with other sister security agencies, the stakeholders, and local vigilantes in ensuring the maximum safety and security of all and sundry in the state.
"The command under my watch shall embrace an intelligence-based, people-friendly, problem-solving, and proactive community-oriented policing that is rule of law compliant and zero-tolerance to corruption."
He continued, "It is pertinent to state that we are in an era when the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is battling with trust deficit. Therefore, as strategic police managers of this command, we must take the bull by the horn, aligning with the vision and mission of the IGP to improve the quality of police service delivery and strengthen police- citizen relationships in the state.
"I urge you all to be the vanguard of justice and beacon of hope by ensuring that officers and men under your supervision uphold the highest standards of professionalism, respect the fundamental human rights of citizens, and shun every form of corrupt practice while discharging their lawful duties.
"Let us work together and courageously stamp out violent crimes and criminally minded elements in the State, most especially the local terrorist group masquerading as the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN)."
"My administration will work tirelessly to put an end to the unlawful sit-at-home order that is crippling the socio-economic activities of the state. We shall re-ignite back public confidence in going about their lawful business without fear of being attacked by dominating the entire security space of the state, our presence must be well felt by the populace, we cannot afford to be reactive in our policing approach.
"Finally, I thank the good people of Imo State for their peaceful disposition and wish to appeal to them for their continuous support and cooperation with the Police and other sister security agencies in the State most especially in the area of actionable intelligence and promptly reporting any suspicious person or clandestine activities observe in their vicinity.
"And to the press, I say a very big thank you and urge you to continue to cooperate with the Command by reporting credible news to the public. Together, we shall make Imo a safe place for socio-economic activities to thrive." he added.
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And now, what is the crux of this article? It is essentially to further x-ray where Imo is today, given the promises made by the CP to Imo people on his arrival in the state.
It will be recorded that as the 2023 Christmas and New Year festivities approached, the CP assured Imo citizens of adequate security and warned all criminally minded elements to steer off Imo.
He assured that his men were well positioned in all nooks and crannies of the state to enforce law and order as well as secure the state against any inconvenience.
And true to his words, Imo people experienced a yuletide that will go down in the recent history of the state as the safest and most peaceful.
In truth, Imo masses had fun, socialised, slept with their two eyes closed and performed their respective functions, including weddings, burials, community fanfares as well as town hall shows and events, without any fear or security doubt.
No where in the state, within the festive period, did the people hear of any attack on persons or public facilities. Neither was there any recorded case of kidnapping, ritual killing, nor armed robbery.
Imo citizens who had come into the state with atom of fear of uncertainty, have all returned to their respective abodes with testimonies of a secured Imo, courtesy of the man at the helm of policing the state.
Even when men of the underworld raised their ugly heads again by kidnapping the famous erstwhile Eze Imo, HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, few days ago, the Imo Police boss and his men as usual immediately swung into action. And today, Eze Ohiri is rescued and at his home, safe and unhurt, to the glory of God.
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Indeed, there is a new narrative regarding security in Imo State of today. Hence, one can recall the period when a day could not past in Imo without having record of one violent crime or the other, but today the story is different.
The era of sit-at-home order every Monday is gradually being forgotten. The era when people were afraid of going to church, market or attending public event is gone for good. Imo is now gradually breathing a new life again.
Again, businesses and economic activities in the state are steadily thriving again. Social activities, night life and confidence on public safety are gradually being restored.
Also, teachers and students now go to school for academic business without any fear of molestation or attack. Same with other private and public workers, doing their jobs in now secured Imo environment.
Although, all this achievements in security of the state would not have been possible without the genuine commitment of the state government led by Sen. Hope Uzodimma.
The governor on record has rendered every necessary support to the police and other security agencies in the state, with the sole intention of encouraging their efforts to guarantee safety of lives and properties in the state.
However, it takes a man like CP Danjuma, who knows his onion, to put into good use the provided logistic and morale support to achieve good results.
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To the governor who provide the essentials, and the Imo Police boss who utilizes them judiciously for effective policing of the state, they both need our ceaseless support and prayers to do more.
To this end, it is our collective prayers that this achievement, security wise, be sustained and far reaching.
It is also our prayers that places like Okigwe, Orsu, Orlu, Njaba, Oru East and West, among other still volatile council areas of the state will be totally liberated from the shackle of insecurity.
It is our fervent prayers that all persons behind the insecurity in the state will turn a new leaf and give peace a chance. We pray they realize the sacredness of human life and preserve it.
We also pray they join hands in efforts that will only facilitate the growth, development and general well-being of Imo citizens and the state at large.
Meanwhile, as the people urge perpetrators of violent crimes in the state to embrace peace and sheath their swords in the interest of orderlines, it is also expected that all and sundry should key in to efforts for a better and prosperous Imo.
Because together and with God, Imo will rise again.
Collins Osuji is a Public Affairs Analyst and Media Consultant based in Owerri, Imo State capital.
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