Anambra Police Command Champions Community-Led Fight Against Crime with “Walk for Safety” Initiative

 

As part of commemorations for Democracy Day 2025, the Anambra State Police Command took to the streets with an urgent and symbolic message: the fight against violent crime is a shared responsibility. On Thursday, June 12, residents of Nnewi and its surrounding areas witnessed an unusual yet powerful display of unity as police officers and civilians marched side by side in a public awareness campaign aptly tagged the “Walk for Safety.”

The event, organized under the umbrella of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), saw participation from law enforcement officers, community leaders, local organizations, and everyday residents—all driven by a common cause: to reclaim their communities from the scourge of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Walking through key landmarks including the Nnewi Area Command, Nkwo Triangle, Nwafor Orizu Roundabout, First Bank Junction, and Nnobi Junction, the procession became more than a walk—it was a statement. Banners and placards bearing messages of peace and vigilance floated over the crowd, as chants calling for security consciousness echoed through the town.

The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, emphasized that the initiative represented more than ceremonial fanfare. Rather, it signals a broader, proactive approach to security management that prioritizes public participation and trust-building. The police, Ikenga noted, are moving beyond reactive strategies and are now firmly focused on prevention through collaboration.

Building community trust is a central theme of the campaign. According to SP Ikenga, fostering cooperation between the police and local residents has become an essential strategy in the state’s security architecture. Through platforms such as the PCRC, intelligence gathering is being localized, and early warning systems are being developed right at the grassroots.

The Police Command’s pivot toward a people-centered model of policing has not gone unnoticed. In his remarks, Ikenga acknowledged the increasing role of residents in supporting law enforcement, stating that community-based efforts have already begun to yield results. Recent reductions in violent incidents across the state, he pointed out, are partly due to these partnerships.

Participants in the walk echoed similar sentiments. Many described the initiative as long overdue, expressing hope that sustained engagements like this could rekindle public confidence in the police. Some residents also viewed the walk as a symbolic reclaiming of public spaces previously overshadowed by fear and insecurity.

One notable aspect of the event was the collaborative atmosphere. Traditional rulers, youth groups, civil society representatives, and market associations joined ranks with uniformed officers—not in protest, but in partnership. This fusion of civic and security efforts, organizers say, sends a strong message to criminal elements: communities are now standing united and informed.

The Command used the opportunity to renew its call for vigilance and cooperation. Residents were encouraged to report suspicious activities promptly and to see themselves as key stakeholders in the safety of their neighborhoods. Awareness materials were distributed, focusing on how to identify early signs of criminal activity and the importance of nonviolent conflict resolution.

Far from being a one-off activity, the “Walk for Safety” is part of a broader strategy championed by the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu. Under his leadership, the Command has consistently explored avenues for community engagement, believing that public participation remains the most sustainable foundation for peace and security.

Orutugu’s administration has already gained a reputation for openness and accessibility. Whether through town hall meetings, school outreach programs, or strategic media campaigns, the Command has made clear its desire to demystify policing and deepen the community’s role in securing its own future.

As the echoes of the walk settled and participants dispersed back to their daily lives, the message remained clear: safety is not the sole duty of the police—it is a collective mission. And in Anambra, that mission now has new momentum.

The state’s residents, law enforcement, and stakeholders appear to be finding common ground, walking not only for safety—but toward a safer future.