By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Miller Gajere Dantawaye, has described the Community Policing approach as the most effective strategy for crime prevention and control in contemporary society.
He stated this during a strategic engagement with critical stakeholders held at the Command Headquarters in Lokoja, as part of activities marking the 2025 Customer Service Week.
Participants drawn from various trade unions, professional bodies, and community groups attended the event aimed at evaluating police service delivery and strengthening collaboration between the Police and the public.
According to CP Dantawaye, the engagement provided an opportunity for the Command to reflect on its achievements, celebrate milestones, and re-evaluate strategies to improve policing services across the state.
“The main objective of this forum is to advance the mission of the Nigeria Police — maintaining law and order, preventing and investigating crimes, protecting lives and property, and upholding the rights of all citizens,” he said.
He emphasized that community policing remains the most viable policing model, as it promotes direct collaboration between the Police and local communities, enhancing intelligence gathering and proactive crime control.
The CP urged citizens to always channel complaints about police misconduct through appropriate channels rather than social media, noting that constructive feedback from the public is vital to improving service delivery.
Also speaking, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 8, Abubakar Zubairu, commended Kogi residents for their cooperation and encouraged them to see themselves as “police officers in plain clothes.”
“Community policing allows the public to play an active role in peacebuilding within their communities. Without feedback from citizens, the Force cannot properly assess or improve its services,” AIG Zubairu noted.
Representing traditional rulers, HRH Abdullahi Idris, the Chief of Jimgbe, lauded the Command’s efforts in maintaining peace and curbing crime in the state. He pledged continued partnership and support from traditional institutions.
The Chairman of the Hoteliers Association, Hon. Ocheni Matthew, called for deeper collaboration between the Police and business operators to make the state safer for commerce and investment.
Similarly, Dr. Achimugu Emmanuel, representing the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), commended the Command’s proactive approach to security and reaffirmed the committee’s readiness to sustain partnership for improved service delivery.
Stakeholders from various sectors, including traditional institutions, youth organizations, transport unions, student bodies, and trade associations, also commended the initiative, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening mutual trust between the Police and the public.