Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has publicly endorsed a significant new directive from the Nigeria Police Force leadership. The Governor lauded the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for implementing a policy that sees newly commissioned police officers posted to serve in their states of origin.
Governor Otti's Enthusiastic Endorsement
The commendation was delivered on Thursday, 9 January 2026, in Abia State. Governor Otti was hosting a delegation of 31 newly commissioned Police Officers from the state. These officers, who are part of the 7th Regular Course of the Nigerian Police Academy and are indigenes of Abia, have been deployed to the state under the new initiative.
Governor Otti described the policy as noble, fantastic, and well-intentioned. He argued that it empowers officers to leverage their intimate knowledge of local language and culture in their duties. This familiarity, he stated, allows for seamless interaction with residents in all nooks and crannies of their home state, enhancing the fight against crime.
"It is a fantastic policy to post officers to their home States. You know all the nooks and crannies of where you come from," Otti said. He contrasted this with a posting to a distant state like Maiduguri, where an officer would face cultural and language barriers while trying to settle in. "So here, if they are speaking any language, you will understand. So, there are a lot of advantages," he added, extending his salute to the IGP and his team.
Administrative Support and Ethical Charge
Governor Otti assured the newly posted officers of his administration's full support. He pledged to maintain security as a top priority and promised to assist with critical welfare needs like mobility and accommodation to ease their duties. This support will be coordinated through his Special Adviser on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd).
However, the Governor coupled this promise with a firm charge on professionalism. He urged the officers to strictly adhere to their rules of engagement and to desist from unprofessional and unethical conduct while securing lives and property in Abia.
Broad Support and Officer's Pledge
The policy also received backing from a prominent Abia son, Dr. Monday Ubani (SAN). He stated that officers serving in their home states would be more effective in locating and dismantling criminal hideouts. Ubani also congratulated Governor Otti for being rated by many as the best governor in Nigeria and advised the new officers to let their service be governed by integrity and honesty, avoiding any transactional approach to policing.
Speaking on behalf of the 31 officers, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Irozuru Somtochukwu, explained that their visit was to inform the Governor of their posting and discuss their aspirations and welfare needs. He presented a photo portrait gift to the governor and commended his people-centric projects.
"Our posting will help strengthen our bond with our State and deepen our resolve to protect our people even at the risk of our lives if need be," ASP Somtochukwu declared. He emphasized that the initiative is designed to foster trust, collaboration, and effective community policing by allowing officers to begin their careers among their own people.
The event was attended by key government officials including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor (Dr.) Caleb Ajagba.
