By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has assumed duty as the 35th Commissioner of Police in the state, pledging to prioritise intelligence-led policing, community partnership, personnel welfare, professionalism and discipline.
Afolabi assumed office at the Abia State Police Command Headquarters, Umuahia, on Monday, August 10, 2026, following the formal handover of the Command by the outgoing Commissioner, CP Danladi Isa, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG.
The outgoing CP formally handed over the Command to Afolabi and introduced him to senior officers before the new Commissioner held his maiden interaction with journalists.
Speaking on his policing agenda, Afolabi said intelligence gathering would occupy a central position in his administration, stressing that his professional background in intelligence would be deployed to tackle security challenges in the state.
“Because of my intelligence background, intelligence is really going to be given much priority. We are not going to pay lip service to it. We are going to make sure that intelligence structures are re-engineered and our intelligence network enhanced,” he said.
The Commissioner also pledged to strengthen police-community relations through regular engagement with traditional rulers, youth leaders, religious leaders, school proprietors, business owners and other critical stakeholders.
According to him, mutual trust between the Police and the communities remains essential to ensuring the free flow of credible information needed to prevent and solve crimes.
“When there is mutual trust, there will be free flow of information. They will feel free to share information with us,” he stated.
On discipline and professionalism, Afolabi said his administration would place greater emphasis on capacity building, training and mentorship, rather than relying exclusively on punitive measures against officers who commit professional lapses.
He disclosed that personnel would undergo training and retraining in areas including emotional intelligence, human rights, crime mapping, investigation and electoral laws.
“It is not every case that requires dismissal. That is why I will focus more on capacity building and mentoring of our men,” he said.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the Commissioner said the Command would adequately educate and train its personnel on the provisions of the Electoral Act to ensure professionalism during the electoral process.
“Now that the general election is just by the corner, our men need to be lectured on the Electoral Act, so that they will know their left from their right,” he said.
Afolabi, however, warned that training and mentorship would not shield officers who deliberately engage in serious misconduct or repeatedly violate professional standards.
“If after investing millions in training you, you still decide to become a deviant, be rest assured that we are not going to treat your matter with kid gloves,” he warned.
He particularly cautioned officers against unjustified use of force, saying no amount of intervention by traditional rulers, religious leaders or other influential persons would stop disciplinary action against personnel found culpable of serious misconduct.
“You cannot go and shoot a motorist along the highway, for no justifiable reason, and expect that you bring your king or your religious leader to come and beg me, and I will listen to them and forgive you. I will not forgive you,” the Commissioner declared.
He explained that while deliberate violations of professional standards would attract appropriate sanctions, less serious lapses could be addressed through mentorship, correction and further training.
“It’s my responsibility to teach you to do the job in the professional manner,” he added.
The new Commissioner also identified personnel welfare as a key component of his policing strategy, noting that properly motivated and cared-for officers would be better positioned to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
Afolabi further assured residents that his administration would strive to build a professional, disciplined, responsive and citizen-oriented Police Command capable of confronting emerging security challenges while respecting the rights of citizens.
On his relationship with the media, the Commissioner assured journalists in the state of an open and cordial working relationship, describing them as critical partners in crime prevention, public enlightenment and security awareness.
“I have a very good working relationship with the media. I respect them, and I acknowledge them as partners in the war against crime,” he said.
He pledged regular engagement with journalists and cooperation in making relevant information available to the public, stressing that effective collaboration with the media would help strengthen public confidence in the Police and promote security awareness.
Afolabi said his administration would therefore anchor its policing strategy on intelligence gathering, community engagement, capacity building, personnel welfare, professionalism and discipline, while consolidating existing security structures across Abia State.