Warri – The Area Commander, Warri Area Command, ACP Graham Imade, has attributed the relative peace being enjoyed across the Warri area to proactive community policing, saying sustained collaboration between the police, the media and other stakeholders remains critical to preventing crime.
Imade stated this on Monday while receiving the executive and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, during a courtesy visit to his office in Warri.
He disclosed that the command had strengthened its engagement with school proprietors, religious leaders, market associations, transport unions and other community groups as part of efforts to build trust, improve intelligence gathering and tackle security challenges before they escalate.
According to him, effective policing cannot be achieved by law enforcement agencies alone, stressing that residents, community leaders and journalists all have vital roles to play in safeguarding lives and property.
The Area Commander described the media as indispensable partners in promoting peace and public enlightenment, noting that journalists help bridge the gap between the police and the public by providing credible information and amplifying security awareness.
He urged media practitioners to serve as security ambassadors by promptly reporting suspicious activities and sharing useful intelligence with security agencies.
Imade commended members of the NUJ chapel who had, on different occasions, alerted the police to potential security threats within their communities, saying such timely information had enabled officers to intervene before situations deteriorated.
He assured residents that information provided to the police would be treated with utmost confidentiality and encouraged members of the public to maintain regular contact with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) for prompt reporting of emergencies.
The police chief also urged citizens to support the prosecution of criminal suspects by providing credible evidence, noting that mere accusations are often insufficient to secure convictions in court.
While expressing satisfaction with the cordial relationship between the Warri Area Command and the NUJ chapel, Imade said the existing partnership had enhanced mutual understanding and contributed to improved security across the area.
Earlier, Chairman of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Chief Akpokona Omafuaire, reaffirmed the commitment of journalists to supporting community policing initiatives through responsible reportage and public enlightenment.
He said the media remains a strategic partner in promoting public confidence in security agencies and ensuring that residents are kept informed of efforts to combat crime.
Omafuaire also appealed for greater protection for journalists in the discharge of their constitutional duties and commended ACP Imade for the transformation of the Warri Area Command headquarters, describing it as a demonstration of visionary leadership and commitment to effective policing.
