Thursday September 04, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
The South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Wednesday, formalized a strategic alliance with the Nigeria Police Force to enhance security and enable sustainable economic development across the region.
The partnership was forged during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director of the Commission, Ms Usoro Akpabio, to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit, aimed at fostering a strategic alliance, focused on securing the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to provide a secure and enabling environment for the Commission to execute its mandate of driving economic growth across the South-South region.
Addressing the IGP, Ms Akpabio began with opening remarks, expressing deep appreciation for the IGP’s visionary leadership and ongoing reforms, which have significantly strengthened law enforcement and public safety across the country. She recognized the Nigeria Police Force as a critical partner in ensuring regional development, stability, and peacekeeping, and expressed the SSDC’s full commitment to fostering strong inter-agency collaboration.
Ms Akpabio stated that the SSDC is saddled with the cardinal responsibility of catalyzing regional economic development across all sectors. She emphasized the strategic importance of the South-South region as the nation’s oil and gas hub, host to deep seaports, international trade routes, and border communities. She acknowledged existing security challenges such as pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, communal conflicts, militancy, piracy, cultism, and electoral violence, stressing that effective law enforcement is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving the Commission’s goals.
“We are saddled with the responsibility of regional economic development across all sectors. Law enforcement is a priority to us. We need your robust policing support to ensure the smooth execution of our development programmes. We need to have a robust working relationship, not just for the commission but for the good people of the south south,” she stated.
Highlighting the SSDC’s focus on using economic empowerment, youth engagement, and community development as tools for reducing the drivers of insecurity, she requested police support in community policing initiatives, establishing early warning systems, and enhancing intelligence sharing. She also proposed joint efforts in peacebuilding campaigns to reduce communal tensions and foster lasting coexistence.
On specific collaborations, the MD suggested setting up a dedicated SSDC–NPF Liaison Desk or Committee to seamlessly coordinate security issues, intelligence, and joint programmes. She also sought collaboration in training and reorienting the youth on lawfulness, patriotism, and responsible citizenship, as well as partnerships in civic education campaigns on peace, security awareness, and anti-crime advocacy.
In a show of holistic support, Ms. Akpabio mentioned the SSDC’s commitment to supporting the Police Officers Wives Association, POWA, in the region through various initiatives, noting that “a happy wife and home makes a happy officer, which in turn contributes to a happier and safer region.”
In his response, IGP Egbetokun pledged the full support of the Nigeria Police Force to the Commission’s development agenda. He outlined key areas for collaboration, including the protection of national assets, lives, and properties, deepening the community policing framework, public orientation, and enforcing robust cybercrime prevention measures, including evaluations of data systems.
The IGP also welcomed the SSDC’s offer of support in addressing infrastructural deficits, such as initiatives to light up police vicinities and improve the working and living conditions of officers.
“The Nigeria Police Force recognizes the critical link between security and development. We are committed to providing necessary security support to ensure the SSDC successfully delivers on its mandate for the people of the South-South region,” the IGP stated.