The Abia State Police Command has strengthened its collaboration with security and emergency-response agencies in the state to improve intelligence sharing, public safety and coordinated response to emergencies.
 
The Command’s spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, following separate engagements by the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, with the State Director of Security, Mr Kingsley  Anuforo, and the state’s fire and emergency authorities.
 
According to Chinaka, the engagements were part of the commissioner’s ongoing efforts to deepen inter-agency cooperation in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s directive on professionalism, public trust and effective collaboration among security agencies.
 
She said Afolabi, during his visit to the State Director of Security, discussed stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms and the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the Command’s forthcoming capacity-building programmes.
 
The programmes, she said, would focus on intelligence gathering, emotional intelligence and threat analysis.
 
Chinaka added that discussions also covered the Community Safety Partnership Initiative being implemented across the state, as well as joint security analysis ahead of next year’s elections.

She said the State Director of Security and his team welcomed the police commissioner and assured him of their support and continued cooperation in achieving shared security objectives.
 
The police spokesperson said the commissioner later visited the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Fire and Medical Emergency, Mr Chukwunneye Alajemba, and the Chief Fire Officer of the state.

She said the visit was aimed at improving cooperation between the Police and Fire Service, particularly in emergency response and the investigation of fire-related incidents.
 
According to her, Afolabi commended Governor Alex Otti for the ongoing retrofitting and upgrading of equipment at the State Fire Service, stressing that every agency had a vital role to play in protecting lives and property.
 
The CP, she said, called for coordinated emergency response, intelligence sharing on fire incidents, including suspected arson, joint training and simulation exercises, as well as seamless communication during emergencies.
 
Chinaka said the commissioner obtained the Fire Service emergency contact lines for Umuahia and Aba and directed that they be circulated to police divisions and formations across the state.
 
She said the move was intended to facilitate prompt intervention during emergencies and support police investigations, particularly in cases of suspected arson.
 
The spokesperson added that the commissioner was received by Alajemba, the Chief Fire Officer and their respective teams, who expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged their support and cooperation.

She said Afolabi was subsequently taken on a tour of the fire service facility, which is currently undergoing renovation and upgrading.