Imo Police, Stakeholders Forge United Front Against Kidnapping, Farmer-Herder Clashes

The Imo State Police Command has renewed its commitment to strengthening security and fostering peaceful coexistence in Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Owerri West local government areas through closer collaboration with community stakeholders.

The commitment was reiterated during a high-level security stakeholders’ meeting held at Gold Crown Hotels, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, where representatives of various communities and interest groups gathered to discuss emerging security concerns and solutions.

Representing the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, the Area Commander of Ohaji/Egbema Area Command, ACP Emeka Ezeibe, emphasized the Command’s dedication to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention and community partnership.

He stressed that criminality should not be linked to any ethnic or religious group and called on residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information capable of exposing criminal elements.

The meeting attracted traditional rulers, community leaders, Presidents-General, religious leaders, youth and women representatives, vigilante commanders, members of the Hausa/Fulani community, divisional police officers from Ohaji, Egbema, Agwa and Oguta divisions, as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Northern Affairs, Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim.

Participants commended the improved security situation in the state and held extensive discussions on issues including kidnapping for ransom, farmer-herder conflicts, destruction of farmlands by grazing cattle, threats to farmers and the broader impact of insecurity on livelihoods and food production.

Stakeholders also praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for strengthening grassroots security through community-based vigilante structures.

At the end of the deliberations, participants resolved that herders should avoid cultivated farmlands, recommended the registration and profiling of herders operating in affected communities and called for stronger cooperation with security agencies to curb kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes and other criminal activities.

ACP Ezeibe assured stakeholders that the Police Command would continue to address security challenges through strategic partnerships and proactive policing measures.

He also announced the establishment of a committee comprising representatives from communities in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area to address issues relating to herders, kidnapping and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking at the meeting, Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim reaffirmed the commitment of the Hausa/Fulani community to peaceful coexistence, assuring participants that law-abiding herders would neither support nor shield criminal elements.

The meeting ended with a renewed pledge by stakeholders to support the Police Command’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign as part of efforts to combat kidnapping, farmer-herder conflicts and other security threats across Imo State.