Police Launch Fresh Community Partnership Strategy as IGP Orders Statewide Town Hall Meetings

Abuja, Nigeria 

The Olatunji Rilwan Disu has launched a fresh nationwide push to strengthen community policing, directing all Commissioners of Police across the country to intensify grassroots engagement through regular town hall meetings and improved accessibility to members of the public.

The directive was issued during an emergency conference held with state Commissioners of Police and members of the media at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, as part of broader efforts to improve security collaboration and rebuild public confidence in policing.

Addressing the gathering, the police chief stressed that effective law enforcement cannot function in isolation, emphasizing that public trust and cooperation remain central to successful policing. He noted that security challenges facing the country require a collective response involving citizens, traditional institutions, and security agencies.

According to the IGP, the new directive is designed to bridge the gap between the police and communities by creating a more open and interactive system where residents can directly engage security officials on pressing concerns affecting their areas.

Under the initiative, all state Commissioners of Police have been instructed to convene regular town hall meetings with critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organizations, market associations, transport unions, women groups, civil society organizations, and other community-based institutions.

The meetings, he said, will serve as platforms for dialogue, conflict resolution, intelligence sharing, and the identification of local security threats before they escalate into major incidents.

The IGP further directed that Commissioners of Police must make their official contact details available to recognized community leaders and relevant stakeholders within their states to improve communication channels and enhance rapid response to emergencies and security reports.

He said improved access to police leadership at the state level would help build confidence in the force, encourage timely reporting of crimes, and promote transparency in policing activities.

The Inspector-General also highlighted the importance of community-driven intelligence in combating crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, cult-related violence, and other emerging security threats, noting that local residents often possess valuable information that can support police operations.

He maintained that stronger police-community partnerships would significantly improve intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and operational effectiveness across the country.

The Nigeria Police Force said the renewed community policing initiative forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at creating a people-centered, accountable, and transparent policing system rooted in partnership, mutual trust, and public service.

Security analysts say the directive could help improve public confidence in law enforcement if effectively implemented, especially in communities where trust in policing has been weakened by past operational challenges.

The statement announcing the new directive was signed by Anthony Placid on behalf of the Force Headquarters in Abuja.