From Francis Sadhere, Warri
EFFURUN – Security experts and scholars have stressed the need for a renewed approach to policing in Nigeria, calling for professionalism, community collaboration, and technology-driven strategies to tackle the nation’s worsening security challenges.
This was the focus at the public presentation of two books on security and police professionalism held at Wellington Hotel, Effurun, over the weekend.
The books – Police Operational Strategy and Tactical Leadership for Enhanced Professionalism and Economic Impact and Policing and the Peril of Duty: Understanding the Causes of Careless Death Among Police Officers – were authored by ACP Anietie Akpan Eyoh, Commandant of the MOPOL Training College, Osun State, and Associate Professor Maria Chinecherem Uzonwanne of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The immediate past Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, who chaired the occasion, described the works as timely and strategic, noting that Nigeria’s battle against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and insurgency requires both intellectual and practical solutions.
“These books go beyond theory. They provide roadmaps for effective policing and national security strategy. Security is not only the responsibility of the agencies; every Nigerian has a role to play by staying vigilant and assisting with useful information,” Tidi said.
Book reviewer, Prof. Uju Ezenekwe, noted that the volumes stressed the demands of modern-day policing where leaders must be decisive, committed, and technologically equipped.
She noted the importance of community policing as a bridge between law enforcement and citizens.
The authors explained that the books target police officers, administrators, policymakers and security professionals, but are also relevant to anyone interested in police safety and effective law enforcement.
They emphasized that policing, as a fundamental institution, has undergone major transformations—from informal, community-led security groups to highly structured law enforcement agencies with specialized units.
They stressed that modern police must operate within constitutional frameworks, respecting human rights and democratic governance.
According to them, routine patrols, intelligence gathering, emergency response and traffic management are only effective when combined with impartial enforcement of the law and strong community cooperation.
