By PETER OKOLIE

The Imo Police Command and Agwa Community in Oguta LGA, on Thursday, resolved to form a security alliance to protect oil assets and curb violent crimes in the area.

This followed the outcome of a security meeting in Owerri between the command’s top management and the community leaders, presided over by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Audu Bosso.

Receiving the delegation, led by the National Secretary of Agwa Central Union, Mr Paschal Obodo, the police commissioner commended the community’s commitment towards ensuring peace and development in the area.

Bosso pledged an open-door policy and a renewed focus on grassroots community policing.

“Security is a collective responsibility,” Bosso said, and urged the stakeholders and natives to passionately embrace the principle of “See something, say something”.

He called for continuous intelligence-sharing and community support for the police to strengthen the partnership in the interest of peace, safety, and sustainable development.

Earlier, Obodo said the community as a major oil-producing community is contributing significantly to the nation’s socio-economic development.

“We have faced intense challenges, such as armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, banditry, and the painful destruction of our local police station,” Obodo said.

He recalled that the community actively rallied together in 2025 to rebuild the vandalised Agwa Police Station with their own resources to buttress the community’s commitment to the partnership.

“Peace has finally returned to our area, following intense and collaborative efforts between our union, the tactical police teams, and sister security agencies,” Obodo said.

The community requested the deployment of additional police personnel, operational vehicles, and modern crime-fighting equipment to ensure rapid response to emerging threats.

He further expressed the community’s commitment to supporting the police and other security agencies through intelligence sharing, community support initiatives, and active participation in lawful security programmes.

He commended the Agwa Divisional Police Officer, Mr John Philips, for his professionalism, dedication, and commitment to addressing security challenges within the community.

Others who spoke during the visit included the Traditional Ruler of Ubah-Agwa, Eze Chima Azubuike, and his Uwaorie-Agwa counterpart, Eze Albanus Ozuruoha.

Both Azubuike and Ozuruoha are the Chairman and Secretary of the Council of Traditional Rulers in the area, respectively.

In their separate remarks, they reaffirmed the commitment of the traditional institution and the people of Agwa Clan to supporting the police and other security agencies in promoting peace and security. (NAN)

• PHOTO CAPTION: Community, Eze Emmanuel Asor, his wife, Lolo Ijeoma, with the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, Chairman, Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Mr Marcel Amadioha and other dignitaries at the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday. Photo: Palace Media Team