By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Cross River State Police Command and the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, have agreed to strengthen collaboration in tackling insecurity and promoting peaceful relations between security agencies and communities.
The agreement was reached on Tuesday when the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, paid a courtesy visit to the Obong at his palace in Calabar.
The visit, according to the Command, was aimed at strengthening police–traditional institution relations and improving community-based policing across the state.
Ordue called for greater involvement of traditional rulers in intelligence sharing, early identification of security threats and peaceful resolution of community disputes.
He said traditional institutions were strategically positioned to support security agencies because of their closeness to the people and knowledge of local developments.
The commissioner also urged the Obong and the Council of Chiefs to use their platforms to discourage jungle justice, mob action and other forms of extrajudicial violence.
He advised residents to report suspected criminal activities to the police and other lawful authorities instead of taking the law into their own hands.
“Allegations of criminal conduct should be reported to the Police and other lawful authorities, rather than being subjected to extrajudicial punishment,” the statement quoted Ordue as saying.
Responding, the Obong of Calabar welcomed the initiative and pledged increased cooperation with the police in promoting peace and security in the state.
The traditional ruler also commended the move to strengthen relations between the Police Command and the traditional institution.
Ordue said effective security required the combined efforts of the police, traditional institutions, government, community leaders and other stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to professional and community-oriented policing, stressing that security remained a shared responsibility.
