The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Abia State Ministry of Information to improve public communication, security awareness and trust between the police and residents.

Afolabi made the call on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information, Okey Prince Kalu, at the ministry’s headquarters in the state.

The police commissioner said the media, as the fourth estate of the realm, had a critical role to play in communicating security initiatives and promoting a better understanding of the efforts of security agencies.

He said the command was particularly interested in working with the ministry to effectively project its Community Safety Partnership initiatives being implemented across various Area Commands in the state.

According to him, closer cooperation between the police and the Ministry of Information would help strengthen public engagement, enhance security awareness and build confidence between the police and the people.

Receiving the police commissioner, Kalu, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and other heads of departments in the ministry, assured him of the ministry’s support for the proposed partnership.

Kalu, however, raised concerns over cases of car theft in the state, particularly security challenges around the Isuikwuato axis.

He called for concerted efforts to address the challenges, while assuring the police of the ministry’s readiness to work closely with the command to improve security across Abia.

Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to sustained cooperation, particularly in the areas of public information, community engagement and security awareness.