2027 elections: Ebonyi police commissioner rallies traditional rulers, others against violence, cultism 

The Ebonyi state Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, has intensified moves to strengthen grassroots security architecture ahead of the 2027 general elections with a strong appeal to traditional rulers and community leaders to rise against political violence, cultism and other criminal activities.

Quoting Police Signal No. AZ 5200/EBS/PPRO/VOL.9/76, the police commissioner made the call during a strategic engagement with the chairman of Ebonyi State Council of Traditional Rulers, Ezeogo Charles Mkpuma, at his palace in Ezzama community, Ezza South local government area.

The visit, the police command said, formed part of ongoing efforts under the Nigeria Police Force community policing initiative aimed at deepening intelligence gathering and building stronger partnership between the police and local communities.

CP Okafor said traditional institutions remained critical stakeholders in maintaining peace and security, adding that the success of policing depends largely on cooperation from community leaders and residents.

She urged royal fathers across the state to caution youth against violence and criminality as political activities gradually gathered momentum, warning that the command would not tolerate any act capable of threatening public peace.

The police commissioner also appealed to residents to volunteer credible and timely information to security agencies, noting that intelligence supplied by communities remained one of the most effective weapons against crime.

She further charged parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards closely to prevent them from being lured into cultism, drug abuse and violent conduct.

Responding, HRM Mkpuma commended the police command for its swift response to security challenges in the state and assured the commissioner of the unwavering support of traditional rulers in the fight against crime.