From Ijeoma John, Nnewi
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Area Command Zone Nnewi has formally received the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu during a familiarisation tour to Nnewi North.
The visit, on Wednesday October 22, 2025 at the Nnewi Area Command was graced by the Igwe of Nnewi, His Royal Highness, Igwe Kenneth Orizu lll, represented by Agu Igwe, the President General of Nnewichi, Hon. Emma Chukwueloka, ACP Austin Oyamielen, Area Commander Nnewi, the Chairman PCRC Area Command Nnewi, Hon. Amobi Okonkwo (Anunebe Nnewi), the PCRC women coordinator, Hon. Ngozi Uba, market leaders and
AVG Commanders of various Communities.
The Area Commander Nnewi, ACP Austin Oyas in his remarks said the CP’s visit showed the importance he attached to the area, which he revealed is the oldest Area Command in the state.
He disclosed that Nnewi Area Command covered Nnewi North and South,adding that six police divisions were in the area.
He urged the CP to help them deploy more personnel to stabilize functionality of Amichi, Ezinifite and Osumenyi divisions, adding that the DPO has been working tirelessly to restore back the lost glory.
ACP Oyas gladly noted that the Area Command has been relatively low in crime and banditry remained a thing of the past.
He further noted that the aftermath of ENDSARS protest had negatively affected the operation of police nationwide, saying that theirs was pitiable because all the police stations in the Area Command was totally burnt down and two partially burnt, their properties were stolen.
Noteworthy,he disclosed that all the stations had been re-built by individuals within the Area Command.
Furthermore, he revealed that they work closely with other security agencies in the Area Command to ensure that relative peace is restored in the Area.
ACP Oyas described the PCRC as a formidable alley in crime prevention and development of police information as well as other assistance the police requires.
CP Orutugu while addressing the people present appreciated the effort of the Area Commander Nnewi in working tirelessly to restore security in the Area.
He said he was on a tour to Nnewi which he disclosed that he would have done some months ago, but because of the security challenges in the Area, it was prolonged.
He commended the result oriented unity among the state actors, the Nigeria police, the Nigeria Army, and other security agencies in the Area.
As a great supporter of community policing, he said the responsibility of government is to protect the lives and property of its people, stressing that any vigilante group that want to engage in the provision of security, the group must do it according to the rules and regulations of police force, must recognise the human rights.
“I will not tolerate any vigilante harassing fellow civilian or police officer extorting money.
This is a new police,this is a new face, indiscipline will not be tolerated” he warned.
Concerning November 8, gubernatorial election, CP Orutugu said Nigeria Police is not concerned about “who wins or not” but concerned about peaceful and credibility elections.
He encouraged voters to obey electoral guidelines, vote orderly and shun causing problem and distraction because Nigeria Police would not spare anyone with such intentions.
He finally charged Police officers to discharge their duties professionally and encouraged Ndi Nnewi to encourage their children to join police.
In response, the Nnewichi President General, Hon. Emma Chukwueloka commended the collective efforts of all the security agencies in Nnewi in restoring relative peace in the land.
He noted that they remained committed to partnering with the Nigeria Police to build a safer and prosperous Anambra State.
On the same note, the PCRC Chairman, Hon. Amobi Okonkwo (Anunebe) said relative peace has been restored in the community because of the efforts of the Nigeria Police.
He disclosed that the recent stand of CP Orutugu in land dispute has helped in restoring peace and normalcy in the state.
On behalf of PCRC, he prayed that God would continue to bless the Nigeria Police and pleaded that they would engage PCRC in some community related issues to strengthen the security network in Anambra State.