Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for directing that newly commissioned police officers be posted to their states of origin.
The Governor describes the policy as a significant step towards strengthening community-based policing and internal security.
Otti gave the commendation on Thursday in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, when 31 Abia-born officers of the 7th Regular Course of the Nigeria Police Academy paid him a courtesy visit.
The governor noted that officers deployed to unfamiliar environments often encounter challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences and limited understanding of local terrain, which could affect effective policing.
According to him, posting officers to their home states enhances familiarity with local languages, customs and security dynamics, thereby improving intelligence gathering, crime prevention and trust between the police and host communities.
Otti observed that the policy mirrors a long-standing practice in the Nigerian Army, where personnel are routinely posted to formations within or near their states of origin, especially at early stages of their careers, to leverage local knowledge and strengthen civil-military relations.
He said the army’s experience had shown that home-state deployment promotes discipline, accountability and cooperation with local populations, while reducing friction arising from cultural misunderstandings.
The governor commended the Inspector-General and his management team for extending a similar principle to the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the initiative was capable of deepening community policing nationwide.
He expressed satisfaction with the presence of the officers in Abia and acknowledged their requests for support, assuring them that the state government would explore ways to assist, as it had consistently done in the past.
Otti congratulated the officers on their commissioning and prayed for their safety and success in the discharge of their duties.
Also speaking, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Monday Ubani, urged the officers to remain focused and uphold the highest standards of integrity, honour and professionalism.
Ubani warned them against involvement in criminal or fraudulent activities and cautioned against turning policing into a transactional exercise where citizens are required to pay money before their complaints are addressed.
According to him, policing should be anchored on justice, service and security, not financial inducement.
Speaking on behalf of the officers, Assistant Superintendent of Police Somtochukwu Irozuru said Governor Otti’s leadership had restored public confidence and inspired young people to embrace service, integrity and sacrifice.
Irozuru said the posting of the officers to their state of origin was aimed at strengthening community policing, describing it as the first time such a policy had been applied to newly commissioned police officers.
He described the deployment as a privilege that would deepen their bond with the people and appealed to the Abia State Government for support in welfare needs, including accommodation, mobility and laptops, to enhance effective policing and career development.
He thanked the governor for granting them audience despite his busy schedule and pledged the officers’ commitment to the peace, security and development of Abia State.
