The police can't fight crime alone. That was the message that dominated the first anniversary of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the event themed “Stakeholders Mapping and Engagement in Community Policing,” Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 7, Victor Olaiya, said modern policing has moved beyond traditional law enforcement. “Security isn't the sole responsibility of the police; it's a collective duty that demands the participation of all stakeholders,” he said.
Olaiya explained that effective security now relies on public trust and shared responsibility. Over the past year, he noted, strategic engagement with community leaders, market associations, schools, youth groups, and faith-based organisations led to better intelligence sharing and improved crime prevention. But he warned that emerging threats, technology, and population growth mean the police need even stronger partnerships.
“We must continue to foster trust, encourage citizen participation, and ensure that every segment of society has a role in promoting security and social cohesion,” Olaiya stated.
“Security isn't the sole responsibility of the police; it's a collective duty that demands the participation of all stakeholders.”
Earlier, the Zonal Chairman of PCRC Zone 7, Otunba Bolaji Adigun, admitted that visibility was a major challenge when the current executive committee took office. Despite PCRC existing for over 40 years, many Nigerians didn't know the committee operates at divisional, state command, and zonal levels — where it coordinates activities across multiple commands.
To fix that, the committee went on extensive stakeholder visits across Area Commands in the FCT and Niger State. Adigun said those tours strengthened communication, improved reporting, identified underperforming units, and secured stronger commitments from police leadership and community members.
The PCRC chairman also listed projects completed in the past year: a modern entrance gate and security post at the Zone 7 Police Headquarters, and a branded PCRC rostrum for public events. He linked the anniversary theme to the 2026 National Police Day theme, “Community Partnership: Building Trust,” arguing that trust is the foundation of effective policing.
“Effective policing is impossible without public trust, and public trust is built through meaningful partnership, consistent engagement, transparency and shared responsibility,” Adigun said.
Prince Adewale Olayinka, PCRC Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, explained that stakeholder mapping helps identify community hotspots, resources, and key players whose cooperation can help security agencies respond faster. “You can't protect what you don't understand. When we map our streets, our hotspots, our resources and people, policing becomes smarter, not harder,” he said.
Olaiya stressed that sustainable security means citizens must stop being passive observers. He urged people to trust the police with information and called on law enforcement to stay open to community concerns.
The event brought together senior police officers, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and youth leaders from across the FCT and Niger State.