As part of awareness creation and sensitisation of political stakeholders, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 4 Headquarters, Makurdi, AIG Dankombo F. Morris, paid a working visit to the Nasarawa State Police Command with a subsequent inspection visit to other commands under the Zone.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed, expressed appreciation to the AIG for choosing to visit the Command as part of his tour of inspection. He described the visit as a demonstration of the AIG’s leadership, commitment and concern for effective policing and the safety of residents of the state. He also noted that the engagement was particularly timely as the state approaches the election season, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to interact with the AIG, share their concerns and contribute to discussions on maintaining peace and security.
Responding, AIG Dankombo Morris expressed his gratitude to the Commissioner of Police, the Command’s management and Tactical Teams and the various stakeholders for the warm reception accorded him. He explained that the purpose of the visit was not only to inspect police formations and assess operational activities but also to engage community leaders and other stakeholders, stressing that security is a shared responsibility that requires the collective efforts of the Police, government, traditional institutions, religious bodies, youths and the wider society.
AIG Morris commended the traditional rulers, religious leaders, PCRC members, youth groups and other stakeholders for their continued partnership with the Nigeria Police Force. He noted that their cooperation, particularly through the provision of timely and useful information, has contributed significantly to the reduction of crime and the maintenance of relative peace in the state. He urged them not to relent in their support, but to deepen the partnership with the Police, especially in the areas of intelligence gathering, early warning and peaceful resolution of emerging conflicts.
According to a press release signed by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ayo Martins, AIG Morris further appealed to political party chairmen, leaders and their supporters to continue to sue for peace as the state approaches the election season. He urged political actors to conduct their activities responsibly and peacefully, avoid inflammatory statements, misinformation, religious or ethnic sentiments capable of creating tension, and embrace dialogue and the rule of law in resolving disagreements. He emphasised that the pursuit of political interests must never be allowed to endanger the lives and property of innocent citizens or undermine the peace of the state.
According to AIG Morris, “I assure the people of Nasarawa State that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to prevent the state from becoming a battleground for political or criminal interests, as the Police will remain professional, impartial and responsive in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.”
As part of the engagement, AIG Dankombo Morris also held a lecture and interactive session with officers and men of the Nasarawa State Police Command, where he commended them for their dedication, professionalism and sacrifices in keeping the state safe. He urged them to remain disciplined and committed to their duties, while consistently upholding the dignity and values of the Nigeria Police Force.
Re-echoing the policy thrust of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, during the visit, AIG Morris emphasised the importance of community policing, community partnership and earning public trust. He charged officers to shun corruption, respect the rule of law, maintain discipline and treat members of the public with courtesy and respect. He noted that effective policing cannot be achieved through enforcement alone, stressing that public confidence remains essential to obtaining the information and cooperation required to prevent and solve crimes.
AIG Morris further urged officers to deepen their engagement with the communities they serve, noting that valuable criminal intelligence is often available within communities and can only be effectively accessed where there is trust between the Police and the people. He also encouraged officers to maintain effective collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies in order to safeguard lives and property, disrupt criminal activities and deny criminal elements any safe haven within the state.
A highlight of the visit was an interactive session with stakeholders, during which they raised issues of concern affecting their respective communities and sought the intervention and support of the Police where necessary. In his response, AIG Morris assured them of appropriate action and support to address their concerns. According to him, “We will provide appropriate guidance to all stakeholders as police commands under Zone 4 are ever committed to addressing legitimate security concerns within the limits of the law.”
