By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
In a bold step to bridge the gap between law enforcement and local communities, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Miller Dantawaye, has rolled out a grassroots-focused initiative dubbed the “Meet-The-People Outings”—a town hall series aimed at restoring public trust and strengthening community policing.
The campaign kicked off in Koton-Karfe, where CP Dantawaye led a delegation of senior officers to engage residents, traditional leaders, and security stakeholders in an open dialogue about safety, trust, and cooperation.
The CP’s visit began at the palace of the revered Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe, HRM Dr. Saidu Akawu Salihu, who welcomed the police chief with open arms, pledging the support of the traditional institution toward sustaining peace in the area.
According to Dantawaye, the meet-the-people initiative is more than a listening tour—it is a strategic pivot toward intelligence-driven policing shaped by community insight. “The security of any society thrives on trust, and trust begins with engagement,” he told the gathering.
He said the outings will serve as platforms for citizens to voice concerns, share experiences, and directly contribute to shaping security operations in their communities.
In a show of unity, representatives of sister security agencies joined the CP on the visit, reinforcing the importance of inter-agency synergy in tackling emerging threats. Dantawaye hailed the presence of the agencies as a “clear message of collective responsibility.”
The police boss lauded the Ohimege Igu for his unwavering support for peace and inter-agency collaboration. “Your Majesty’s leadership inspires not just your people, but those of us entrusted with maintaining law and order,” he said.
Responding, the traditional ruler praised Dantawaye’s humility and proactive style, describing his visit as “a refreshing departure from distant policing.” The monarch, a former legislator and long-time advocate of community development, pledged to mobilize local support for the new security model.
“The police must be seen as friends of the people, not strangers,” he said, assuring the CP of continued collaboration through information sharing and moral leadership.
The tour concluded at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Koton-Karfe, where CP Dantawaye met with ward heads, religious leaders, and residents to further unpack the realities on ground and build consensus on next steps.
As the “Meet-The-People” initiative gains momentum, the Kogi Police Command appears poised to rewrite the narrative of policing—from force to partnership, from suspicion to synergy.