The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the training of indigenous security outfits in Anambra State to strengthen professionalism and improve collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Awka.
Ikenga explained that the initiative was aimed at reforming state-owned security groups and aligning them with modern policing standards. He noted that while local outfits possess vital grassroots intelligence and a deeper understanding of their terrain, they require structured training to maximize their contributions.
“These officers are local, so they have quality information to offer the police. They also understand their people and the terrain much better, so there is a need to train them for greater results,” he said.
The PPRO stressed the importance of overcoming what he described as the “conspiracy of silence,” where communities withhold vital information from security agencies due to fear. He said the police would train the outfits on the principle of ‘If you see something or hear something, say something’ to strengthen neighborhood watch and intelligence-sharing.
Ikenga added that the training would also prepare the command and its local security partners ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra. According to him, the exercise will help minimize clashes between local security personnel and residents while ensuring respect for human rights.
He emphasized that orientation in areas such as public conduct, instinctive intelligence, and social behavior was critical to achieving security balance in the state. “When key skills are missing in security officers, it often leads to preventable altercations that can escalate into unlawful acts,” Ikenga noted.
The PPRO reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to fostering synergy with indigenous security outfits to ensure safer communities and effective policing across Anambra.