The Commissioner of Police for Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, held an expansive town hall meeting at the Udenu Local Government Secretariat on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The engagement is part of a state-wide tour mandated by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at fostering “community-based, inclusive, and trust-building policing.”
Addressing a diverse crowd of community leaders, youth groups, and business owners from the Igbo-Etiti, Igbo-Eze North, Isi-Uzo, and Udenu local government areas, CP Giwa emphasised that the era of “policing from a distance” is over.
“Effective policing is only achievable through public trust, cooperation, and active community participation,” CP Giwa told the assembly. “We are here to listen, to learn your unique challenges, and to ensure that our officers serve you with the highest level of professionalism.”
The session served as an open forum where residents raised concerns regarding police conduct and the specific security threats facing their neighbourhoods. In response, the CP reassured the public of the Command’s dedication to swift action and professional integrity.
“Our commitment to protecting lives and property is unwavering. We are shifting toward a more proactive stance, but we need your eyes and ears. I urge every citizen to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly. Your intelligence is our strongest weapon,” the CP added.
The meeting saw a high turnout of influential figures, including traditional and religious leaders, representatives of town unions, neighbourhood watch groups, and forest guards. The Executive Chairman of Udenu LGA, Mr Aka Eze Aka, attended the session alongside transport unions and business owners who represented the economic heartbeat of the area.
Stakeholders expressed renewed confidence in the Command’s current leadership. Speaking on behalf of the community leaders, several representatives commended the CP for the initiative, noting that such face-to-face interactions are vital for dissolving long-standing tensions and building a unified front against crime.
“We are ready to work hand-in-hand with the Police. This initiative shows that the Command is serious about peace and development,” one community leader remarked during the session.
The town hall concluded with a joint resolution to strengthen intelligence sharing and community-police collaboration across the Udenu Area Command. CP Giwa reiterated that the police are partners in progress, not just enforcers, and vowed that credible information provided by the public would be handled with the utmost confidentiality and urgency to ensure a safer Enugu State.
