The Abia State Police Command on Tuesday received separate courtesy visits from the Federal Fire Service, Abia Command, Zone E, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) Monitoring Committee, with both engagements focusing on stronger inter-agency collaboration and improved public safety.
The Federal Fire Service delegation, led by the State Controller, ACF Juliet Ontendi, visited the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia.
The visit was aimed at formally welcoming the commissioner and reaffirming the fire service’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the police in the discharge of their respective responsibilities.
During the meeting, the delegation stressed the importance of closer cooperation between both agencies, particularly ahead of forthcoming elections, as well as in the investigation of suspected arson and other fire-related incidents.
It also called for the strengthening of the existing synergy between the agencies to ensure a coordinated response to emergencies and security challenges across the state.
Responding, Afolabi assured the Federal Fire Service of the Command’s continued support and cooperation, stressing that unity of purpose among security and emergency-response agencies was essential to protecting lives and property.
The commissioner said effective collaboration would enable the agencies to respond more efficiently to emergencies and other threats to public safety.
In a separate engagement, the Police Command also received the ACJL Monitoring Committee, led by its chairman, Hon. Enwereuzo Chinedu, Mayor of Umuahia South Local Council.
The committee briefed the commissioner on the Child Diversion Programme, which is to be piloted in Umuahia South.
The initiative is designed to keep children aged between 10 and 17 who are involved in minor offences away from detention, while providing alternative measures such as counselling, community service and reintegration.
The programme is in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015 and seeks to promote rehabilitation rather than detention for children involved in minor offences.
Afolabi commended the initiative and reaffirmed the Command’s willingness to collaborate with the committee in implementing the programme.
He noted that partnerships of this nature were important to strengthening community policing, protecting the rights of children and improving justice delivery in Abia State.
The two engagements underscored the Police Command’s emphasis on inter-agency cooperation in addressing security, emergency response and justice-related challenges in the state.
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