Authorities Rule Out Rehabilitating Former Militants, Says Deputy Inspector General Onwuemelie

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Tours S’East on security assessment.

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By Steve Oko

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UMUAHIA — The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Logistics and the South-East, DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, has dismissed insinuations that repentant terrorists are being recruited into the Nigeria Police Force, insisting that no deradicalised individual is absorbed into the police system.

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Fielding questions from newsmen during a stakeholders’ security engagement at the Police Officers’ Mess, Umuahia, Abia State, on Monday, Onwuemelie said: “police recruitment follows established procedures, including screening and vetting of applicants.”

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“There is a system of recruiting into the police. We make announcements, screen applicants, and recruit qualified persons. I am not aware of any deradicalised person being automatically integrated into the police service,” he said.

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The DIG noted that deradicalisation, disarmament and reintegration programmes are recognised global strategies for managing former insurgents, but stressed that each case is handled in accordance with laid-down procedures.

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Onwuemelie, who is on an operational tour of police commands in the South-East on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, said the exercise “is aimed at assessing security challenges, engaging stakeholders and obtaining feedback to improve policing and security delivery.”

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According to him, all six Deputy Inspectors-General overseeing the country’s geopolitical zones have been mandated to spend two weeks engaging officers and critical stakeholders in their respective regions.

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“The Inspector-General is concerned about security across the country and has directed us to conduct strategic assessments of the security situation in our zones, engage stakeholders and obtain honest feedback from the people so we can improve policing and security delivery,” he said.
Responding to concerns over delayed responses to distress calls and attacks in parts of Abia State, he assured residents that the complaints had been noted and would be reviewed to identify gaps and improve operational effectiveness.

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The DIG also cautioned against criminalising herders, saying criminal acts should be separated from legitimate occupations.

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“Being a herder does not inherently imply criminality. If people commit crimes under the guise of herding, they should be treated as criminals and dealt with accordingly,” he said.

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Addressing stakeholders earlier, Onwuemelie called for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies, stressing that timely information from residents remains critical to preventing crime and violence.

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“Community members know when strangers arrive, when suspicious activities begin and when tensions are rising. We need that information before it develops into a crisis,” he said.

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He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and community elders to help resolve disputes before they escalate, while encouraging communities to provide guidance and opportunities for youths to prevent their involvement in crime.

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He also acknowledged the role of vigilante groups but insisted they must operate within the law and under proper supervision.

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According to him, the police would strengthen intelligence gathering, expand their presence in rural communities, intensify joint operations with other security agencies and improve response times to emergencies.

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He reiterated that professionalism and accountability remain non-negotiable, warning that officers who abuse citizens’ rights would face sanctions.

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In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, represented by DCP Ifeanyi Ohuruzo, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining peace and security through proactive policing and community partnership.

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He said the command had continued to deny space to criminal elements operating in the state and urged residents to support security agencies with credible information.

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Speaking also, the Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mbah, called on security agencies to act promptly on intelligence reports and to ensure thorough investigations before releasing suspects.

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The leader of the Northern Community in Abia, Alhaji Danladi Yaro, commended the police for the engagement and advocated greater youth involvement in security discussions to promote peaceful coexistence and prevent conflicts.

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Stakeholders from various sectors and senior officers of the Abia State Police Command attended the engagement.

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