Concern over farmer-herder clashes, jungle justice, theft and inadequate security personnel in parts of Abia State took centre stage yesterday as the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, engaged community leaders and residents in Isuikwuato.

Afolabi, who spoke during a community safety engagement at the Isuikwuato Area Command, urged residents, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to strengthen cooperation with the police and provide timely information that could help prevent crime.

The engagement brought together stakeholders from Isuochi, Uzuakoli, Igbere, Bende, Uturu, Mbala and Nneato divisions, including local government leaders, traditional rulers, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, Hausa community leaders, farmers and herders, as well as women and youth groups.

Among the security concerns raised were clashes between farmers and herders, jungle justice, inadequate community sensitisation, theft allegedly encouraged by scrap dealers, and shortages of personnel and logistics.

Afolabi said the police would not interfere with legitimate businesses but warned that individuals who knowingly aided criminal activities would face the law.

He appealed to residents to support policing efforts by providing useful information, stressing that effective security depended on cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies.

To address tensions between farmers and herders, the commissioner directed that monthly dialogue sessions be held between both groups. He also called for stronger collaboration between the police, community security outfits and sister security agencies to address manpower shortages.

The CP further announced the introduction of motorbike patrols to improve police visibility and response in rural communities.

He said the command was also strengthening the capacity of community-based security personnel through training and retraining, adding that local vigilantes would be integrated into the security framework to promote professionalism and efficiency.

Earlier, Afolabi paid a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Isuikwuato, Chinedu Ekeke, where he stressed the importance of collaboration between the police and the local government in tackling insecurity.

Ekeke commended the commissioner for his commitment to community security and described his engagement with local stakeholders as a positive step towards addressing security challenges.

The police chief later visited the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, where discussions focused on improving security within the university and its surrounding communities.