Residents of Awka, capital of Anambra State, have commended the Command’s Commissioner of Police for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere during his post-election peace campaign across every nook and cranny of the state.
The Police boss, prior to the election, had visited all the divisions and area commands, including villages and towns to sensitize residents, urging them to ensure peaceful polls.
One of the residents, who spoke in Onitsha, Akunne Ikechukwu, said: “There is no cause for any alarm in Anambra. The Police and Army have done their job well. Before now, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra, CP Orutugu, had visited everywhere, campaigning for peace.”
Another resident, Chioma Ikeom, lauded the Police Command for doing the groundwork that led to the peace the state is enjoying now.
The atmosphere in Anambra State ahead of the just-concluded election was noticeably different from what many had anticipated. In previous years, electoral seasons often came with heightened tension, fear of violence, and sporadic unrest. However, this time, a sense of calm pervaded the air. Traders opened their shops, civil servants went about their duties, and political party supporters conducted their rallies with minimal friction.
This shift did not happen by chance. It was the product of deliberate planning, continuous engagement, and proactive policing initiated by the Commissioner of Police, CP Orutugu, who, upon assuming duty, declared that peace and security of lives and property would be the hallmark of his administration.
In the weeks leading to the polls, CP Orutugu embarked on an extensive peace sensitization tour, moving from one community to another, interacting with traditional rulers, market leaders, youth groups, and religious bodies. His consistent message was that of peace, tolerance, and civic responsibility. “Election is not war,” he repeatedly told his audiences. “It is an opportunity to freely choose leaders in an atmosphere of peace.”
The approach adopted by CP Orutugu was notably community-centered. Rather than deploying security operatives reactively, the Commissioner built bridges of trust between the police and the populace. Recognizing that lasting peace can only be achieved through collaboration, he made it a point to carry along traditional institutions, religious leaders, and grassroots associations.
At a meeting held in Nnewi, the Commissioner was said to have urged stakeholders to take ownership of the peace process. “Security is everybody’s business,” he told them. “We must all work together to keep Anambra safe before, during, and after the election.”
This message resonated deeply. Many local vigilante groups aligned their operations with the directives of the police, creating an integrated security framework that ensured information flowed freely between communities and law enforcement.
CP Orutugu’s strategy also involved ensuring that police presence was visible, professional, and people-friendly. Across Awka, Onitsha, Ekwulobia, and other major towns, patrol teams were deployed not to intimidate but to reassure. Officers were instructed to engage with citizens respectfully, answer their questions, and assist where necessary.
According to a trader at Eke Awka Market, “We used to fear policemen during elections, but this time, they were friendly. They helped control traffic, kept watch over polling units, and even assisted old people. It gave us confidence to come out and vote.”
The presence of security personnel on election day was robust but non-threatening. Checkpoints were set up in strategic locations, and rapid response teams were placed on standby. This helped to deter potential troublemakers while preserving the free movement of law-abiding citizens.
Another notable factor was the high level of collaboration among security agencies in Anambra. Under CP Orutugu’s leadership, the Police Command coordinated effectively with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Joint security meetings were held weekly in the weeks preceding the polls, where intelligence reports were shared and contingency plans mapped out. The synergy ensured that response to emerging threats was swift and unified.
A senior officer in the State Command, who preferred anonymity, disclosed that the Commissioner insisted on teamwork. “He always told us that inter-agency rivalry has no place in modern security management. That was how we maintained harmony and focus throughout the process.”
In areas that were identified as potential flashpoints—such as Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Ogbaru—the Command conducted pre-emptive operations to disrupt criminal networks and dislodge cultist hideouts. Arrests were made discreetly, and security assessments were conducted daily.
The Commissioner also strengthened the Command’s intelligence unit, empowering it to liaise directly with informants and community-based security actors. Through these efforts, several plots to disrupt the election were reportedly thwarted.
A youth leader from Ihiala, recounted how police presence helped restore calm. “Before the Commissioner came, people in our area were already scared because of rumors of attacks. But the police came early, held meetings with us, and even patrolled the night before the election. That gave us courage to come out.”
The peaceful atmosphere reflected in the level of voter turnout. Across polling units in Awka, Onitsha, and environs, voters were seen arriving early and conducting themselves in an orderly manner. There were few reports of disruptions or violence, and the Police ensured that materials and personnel were secured throughout the exercise.
Observers from civil society organizations, including the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), gave positive assessments of the conduct of security agencies in the state.
One of the observers noted: “The conduct of the Anambra Police Command was commendable. Officers were professional, non-partisan, and respectful. We did not witness any case of intimidation or harassment.”
Following the successful completion of the polls, CP Orutugu did not relent. Instead, he intensified his post-election peace campaign, visiting communities to express appreciation for their cooperation and to encourage continued peace regardless of political outcomes.
During one of such visits in Awka North, he urged political supporters to remain calm and law-abiding. “Elections may have been won or lost, but Anambra belongs to all of us,” he said. “We must move forward as one people, united in the spirit of peace and progress.”
This post-election engagement was particularly significant in preventing post-voting tensions. It reassured residents that the security apparatus remained vigilant and committed to sustaining calm across the state.
The proactive approach of the Commissioner did not go unnoticed by stakeholders. Several traditional rulers, including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and the Igwe of Awka, Dr. Gibson Nwosu, publicly applauded the Police Command for its professionalism and collaboration.
In a joint statement issued by the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, the monarchs described CP Orutugu as “a man of vision and empathy who understands the culture and temperament of Anambra people.”
Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, lauded the Police Command’s role in ensuring that worship centers and markets were safe during the election period. “The level of peace we are enjoying today,” the clergyman said, “is the fruit of planning and sincerity of purpose. We must appreciate the Police leadership for their foresight.”
The Commissioner also recognized the importance of involving youths and women in the peace-building process. Before the election, he convened youth sensitization programs aimed at discouraging political thuggery and misinformation.
At one of such events in Onitsha, he told the participants: “You are the future of this state. Don’t let anyone use you to destroy what belongs to you.”
The Police Command also partnered with women associations, including market unions, to promote voter education and civic responsibility. The Iyom Women of Anambra Union, in a statement, praised the police for their inclusivity. “We felt involved this time,” they said. “The Commissioner’s visit to our markets helped us spread the message of peace.”
One of CP Orutugu’s strengths, residents say, is his accessibility. He often interacts personally with citizens, answers calls directly from community leaders, and visits scenes of incidents promptly. His leadership style, described by many as “approachable and humane,” has redefined the perception of policing in Anambra.
A commercial tricycle operator, shared his experience: “I once saw the Commissioner himself at Aroma Junction controlling traffic when it was tight. That showed he leads by example. The man is different.”
Analysts believe Anambra’s peaceful election experience holds important lessons for other states preparing for future polls. According to security a analyst “The success recorded in Anambra demonstrates that policing must be proactive, not reactive. The Police must become part of the community, not an external force. That is how trust is built.”
He also emphasized that peacebuilding requires sustained engagement. “Security is not achieved by guns alone. It is achieved through communication, collaboration, and credibility. CP Orutugu understood this and applied it effectively.”
With the election concluded, attention is now shifting to how Anambra can sustain the prevailing peace. The Police Command has already outlined plans to continue town-hall meetings, intensify community patrols, and maintain partnerships with vigilante groups.
In his recent briefing to the media, CP Orutugu reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining peace. “We will not rest on our oars,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure that Anambra remains one of the safest states in the federation.”
He also thanked the Inspector-General of Police for providing logistics support and for prioritizing the welfare of officers deployed during the election.
For many residents, CP Orutugu has become a model of leadership, disciplined, approachable, and visionary. His tenure, they say, has brought back confidence in law enforcement and restored the belief that policing can indeed be a noble service.
As dusk falls over Awka, the city hums with the rhythm of normal life, traders counting the day’s sales, students heading home, and residents discussing politics without fear. It is a calm born of careful planning, community trust, and genuine leadership.
And as one resident, summed it up: “This is the kind of peace we want every election season. The Commissioner and his men have done well. For once, Anambra can proudly say our election was not only peaceful but exemplary.”
Anambra CP Has Prepared a Peaceful Atmosphere for Anambrarians Ahead of Election – Residents
