The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, PSC, on Tuesday led a routine patrol covering the Udenu Area through the Enugu-Opi-Nsukka Road, extending to the Enugu/Benue boundary, where he met with counterparts from the neighbouring state command.
At the boundary, CP Giwa was received by the Otukpa Area Commander, Benue State Command, ACP Cosmas Eze. Addressing ACP Eze and his Udenu counterpart, ACP Stephen Abiaziem, the Commissioner urged the two officers to deepen the interstate cooperation already established under the Nigeria Police Force’s Handshake Patrol initiative.
“This collaboration between adjoining State Commands is a key strategy for tackling contemporary and complex crimes,” CP Giwa said. “I charge both of you to sustain this existing operational synergy and to maximise the opportunities the Handshake Patrol initiative provides,” he added, referencing the programme introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The Commissioner also visited the Udenu, Umabor and Unity Divisions, where he spoke with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and rank-and-file personnel.
“Professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights are non-negotiable,” CP Giwa told officers at the divisions, stressing the need to treat members of the public courteously.
At the Enugu-Opi-Nsukka Road, the Commissioner engaged operatives of the Distress Response Squad (DRS) directly, warning them strongly against extortion.
“There will be zero tolerance for extortion or any form of corruption,” he told the DRS operatives.
He extended a similar message to Charge Room Officers (CROs), reminding them of their unique position within the Command.
“You are the first point of contact for members of the public visiting the Police Station,” CP Giwa said. “You must, therefore, project the image and values of the Nigeria Police Force at all times.”
Police authorities say the routine patrols and supervisory divisional visits align with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, and are aimed at strengthening proactive, intelligence-led policing, preventing crime, boosting public confidence and enhancing professionalism within the force.
CP Giwa was accompanied on the patrol by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Gregory Itobore; the Commanding Officer, No. 3 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Enugu, ACP Azeez Idowu; the Commander, Distress Response Squad (DRS), ACP Kelvin Aiyegbusi; and the Head, Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), CSP Henry Imo.
Also present were the Head, Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Unit of the VCRU, CSP Chukwuka Odum; the Commanding Officer, Counter Terrorism Unit, SP Uju Okeke; and the Head, Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the VCRU, DSP Isaac Odogwu, among other officers and men.
