By Izunna Okafor, Awka
As part of his move to deepen grassroots security architecture and foster stronger collaboration with traditional institutions, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, on Saturday, June 1, 2025, paid a high-level advocacy visit to Achalla, the headquarters of Awka North Local Government Area.
Disclosing this in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga; the visit, which held at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ositadimma Sunny Nwokedi (Eze Oranyelu I of Achalla Kingdom), was part of the Commissioner’s broader agenda of strengthening community-based security and promoting peaceful coexistence through alternative dispute resolution and stakeholder dialogue.
According to the statement, addressing the royal cabinet and other community stakeholders, CP Orutugu emphasized the urgent need for collective vigilance and renewed synergy between the Police and communities to prevent criminal infiltration and safeguard lives and property.
He noted that the peculiar geography of Achalla makes it imperative for residents to remain security-conscious, and to work closely with law enforcement to deny criminal elements any foothold.
“The visit was aimed at promoting Security dialogue in addressing matters of concerns among the Stakeholders of the community and collaboration to combat the common enemy threatening the State,” he stated, re-emphasizing the need to engage, sensitize, and work with traditional institutions to strengthen collective resistance to insecurity.
The Police Commissioner also revealed plans to escalate advocacy through proactive community dialogues and outreach programmes, particularly in areas where socio-cultural bonds remain strong and can be leveraged in crime prevention and intelligence gathering.
Responding, Igwe Ositadimma Sunny Nwokedi, Eze Oranyelu I of Achalla, commended the Police Commissioner for the thoughtful and proactive engagement. He described the visit as a welcome development and expressed the readiness of the Achalla traditional institution to collaborate more closely with security agencies in pursuit of peace, stability, and development.
The monarch pledged to mobilize the community in support of the new security initiative and assured that the palace would remain a dependable partner in promoting law, order, and unity.
Also present to receive the Commissioner of Police were respected community leaders and cabinet members including Barr. Patrick Neorah (Secretary of the Igwe-in-Council), Engr. Ken Odezulu (Ochi War), and Ozo Chinedu Okadigbo (PRO/Publicity Secretary of the Council), alongside other dignitaries and stakeholders.
The Achalla advocacy tour is expected to be replicated in other parts of the state, as the Police leadership moves to consolidate local partnerships, expand early-warning networks, and intensify grassroots resilience against crime.
