The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has attributed the success of the recently concluded governorship election and the prevailing peace in the state to what he described as visible policing, community engagement, and trust-building between security agencies and residents.
In an exclusive interview with SpyeTV News on Sunday, CP Orutugu said Anambra’s transformation from a hotspot of agitation and insecurity into one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states was not by magic but through deliberate, people-focused policing strategies.
“There is no magic. I would start by saying visible policing — policing with the intention of creating trust and confidence,” he said. “When I arrived in Anambra, there was deep distrust between the people and the police, largely due to the IPOB and Biafra agitation. We had to rebuild that trust from scratch.”
From Distrust to Collaboration
The police boss explained that his administration focused on intense community policing and consistent engagement with traditional rulers, town union leaders (PGs), and local vigilante groups.
“Almost every day, I am in one community or another. I didn’t stay in the office. I visited area commands and villages, held meetings with the 79 President Generals (PGs) across the state, and ensured constant dialogue between the police, community leaders, and government,” he said.
According to him, this grassroots approach helped redefine the relationship between the police and residents. “The Anambra people began to see the police as one of their own,” he said.
Dealing with Agitations through Understanding, Not Force
On the issue of separatist movements, CP Orutugu emphasized that ideologies cannot be defeated with force but through dialogue and understanding.
“Biafra is an ideology — you can’t kill an ideology; you can only reorient it. I didn’t come to fight IPOB or Biafra. I came to engage the people, to make them understand the importance of peace and coexistence,” he explained.
He revealed that he had initiated plans for a Police–Public Security Summit to allow citizens express their grievances directly to law enforcement officers. “We wanted the people to tell us what they dislike about us, and for us to tell them our challenges. That’s the only way to achieve mutual understanding,” he said.
The Power of Accessibility and Compassion
Beyond operational strategies, the Commissioner said personal accessibility and empathy played crucial roles in bridging the gap between the police and the public.
“I was visible and accessible. When a child went missing, I was on the streets looking for the child. I identified with families, visited mothers in distress, and made sure they saw me as part of them,” he said.
He also credited his Public Relations Officer for effectively communicating the command’s activities and successes. “The media played a huge role. They helped project the positive image of the police,” he noted.
Zero Kidnapping Easter and Renewed Confidence
CP Orutugu recalled one of the state’s most symbolic achievements — the “Zero Kidnapping Easter” campaign — launched to preempt criminal activities during the holiday period.
“Throughout that Easter, there was no single reported case of kidnapping,” he said proudly. “Even high-profile events like major weddings attended by the governor and other dignitaries went smoothly without any security breach.”
Synergy with the Governor and Security Agencies
He praised the synergy between the police, the state government, and other security agencies, crediting Governor Charles Soludo’s “progressive, pro-federal” stance for fostering peace.
“The governor came out to confront everything that was anti-federal government. He made it clear that Anambra would not be part of self-governance agitation. That synergy between him and the security agencies brought results,” the CP said.
He also noted that his first action upon resuming office was to visit sister agencies to strengthen inter-agency cooperation. “When I arrived, I immediately paid courtesy visits to the DSS, prisons, customs, and others. That simple gesture rekindled mutual respect and collaboration,” he said.
Peace as the People’s Choice
Reflecting on the broader impact of these efforts, CP Orutugu said peace has now become a collective commitment among residents.
“Everyone needs peace. The people have realized that crisis does not pay. Even those who once opposed the police now call to say, ‘We have no problem with you,’” he said.
He also linked peace to economic prosperity, urging citizens to sustain the atmosphere of calm. “Anambra thrives on trade and commerce. Safety attracts investors. If the people are safe, the economy will flourish,” he stressed.
Commendation for the IGP
The CP expressed deep appreciation for the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his continuous support and reforms aimed at transforming the Nigeria Police Force.
“The IGP is very passionate about building a new, people-friendly police. He has never turned down any of my requests — from training local vigilante groups to organizing security summits. His vision inspires all of us,” CP Orutugu said.
A Model for Nigeria
In his closing remarks, the police commissioner described Anambra as “a shining example that Nigeria can get it right.”
“The Anambra election has shown that with the right attitude and community cooperation, elections can be peaceful, credible, and uncontroversial,” he concluded. “Anambra is safe — and it is the people who made it so.”