The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Zachariah Achinyan, has called on residents of Borno State to support the Nigeria Police Force with credible information to help tackle crime, assuring that the identities of informants will be protected.

Achinyan gave the assurance on Monday during an operational and community engagement visit to Maiduguri, the state capital, alongside the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Research and Planning, Zango Baba.

He said community intelligence remains critical to modern policing, noting that effective collaboration between the police and the public makes security operations more efficient.

“As stakeholders, the police cannot work without you because we need each other. It is for this reason that the Inspector-General of Police has asked me to meet with you so that we can rub minds and work together to police this state,” he said.

“Without you, we cannot get information, and we need information to operate. If you do not say something, the police will not have the necessary guidance to police this environment. That is why we are advocating that you activate community informants in Borno State,” he added.Achinyan reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to professionalism, accountability, and service excellence, assuring that information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality.

“The information you give us will be used in a confidential manner, in such a way that nothing will be traced to you. I can assure you that if you give the police valuable information, you are not only helping yourselves but your entire community,” he said.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements and strangers in their communities, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining security.

“We have been mandated by the Constitution to serve you. We are pleading to find a place in your heart to collaborate with us. Criminals do not live with the police; they live among you. If you see something, say something,” he said.

The DIG further conveyed the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with communities and stakeholders to enhance public trust, improve intelligence sharing, and promote sustainable peace and security.

In a separate interaction with officers and men of the Borno State Command, the visiting DIGs commended personnel for their resilience and dedication in the discharge of their duties, particularly within the challenging operational environment of the North-East. They acknowledged the Command’s contributions to ongoing counter-insurgency and stabilization efforts, urging officers to remain disciplined, professional, and proactive in addressing emerging security threats through intelligence-led policing and community engagement.

Dignitaries present included the Commandant, Police College Maiduguri, AIG Usman Mu’azu Mohammed; AIG Zone 15 (Borno/Yobe), Dahiru Mohammed; Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Naziru Abdulmajid; representatives of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC); the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA); traditional and religious leaders; members of the press; and other stakeholders.