In a move described as timely and transformative, the newly appointed Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Lugbe Division, CSP Ukorobo Uchenna, has thrown open the doors of policing to the community, convening a broad-based stakeholders’ meeting aimed at forging unity against crime and insecurity in the bustling suburb.
The meeting, which held at the Lugbe Police Station, brought together an impressive coalition of leaders — from the Chief of Lugbe, Chief Danlami, to the Chairman of Lugbe Abubakar Sadiq Mosque, Alhaji Ismail Bakwai, youth leaders, motorcycle and tricycle union executives, vigilante groups, and civil rights advocates. It was the first time in recent memory that such a wide spectrum of voices in Lugbe sat under one roof to deliberate directly with the police.
CSP Uchenna, who only recently assumed office, said the engagement was not just a formality but a deliberate strategy to chart a new path for Lugbe. He told the gathering: “We cannot secure this community alone. Crime is a threat to everyone’s peace and prosperity, and the solution lies in partnership. From traditional leaders to transport unions, from religious authorities to our youth, every stakeholder has a role to play.”
He delivered the goodwill of the Inspector General of Police and the FCT Commissioner, assuring residents that the days of mistrust and neglect were over. He urged Okada and Keke operators to sanitize their members, avoid restricted areas — especially highways that have become notorious for fatal accidents — and assist the police in identifying rogue elements. “If we work together, we will not only reduce accidents but also flush out those hiding under your unions to perpetrate crime,” he said.
The DPO further emphasized that the police under his command would not tolerate extortion or harassment of residents, declaring: “My pledge to you today is simple — the police will be accountable. If any officer goes astray, report directly to me.”
The stakeholders, one after another, applauded the initiative. Chief Danlami described the meeting as a new chapter for Lugbe: “We have long demanded this kind of openness. The traditional institution will stand with the police because peace is the foundation of our community.”
Alhaji Ismail Bakwai, Chairman of the Lugbe Muslim Ummah, reinforced the sentiment, stating: “This is the right approach. Security thrives when the people and police walk together. We are ready to mobilize our community in support of this vision.”
For the youth, represented by the Deputy National President of the Nigerian Youth Organization, Comrade Nasir Doka, the engagement was a long-overdue partnership. “This is what our generation has been calling for — inclusion in decision-making. Young people are often the targets of crime and also the victims of police misconduct. With this dialogue, we can finally build trust and create solutions together,” he said.
Observers at the meeting noted that CSP Uchenna’s strategy of convening a diverse stakeholder forum signals a shift from a policing model of command and control to one rooted in collaboration and accountability. Residents who had grown weary of rising insecurity and recurring clashes between law enforcement and locals expressed cautious optimism that this approach could be the turning point for Lugbe.
As the meeting ended, one message stood tall: under CSP Uchenna’s watch, Lugbe is no longer just a community policed, but a community actively policing itself in partnership with the law.