Mr. Wilfred Afolabi has officially started his tenure as the 35th Commissioner of Police for Abia State. He arrives with a mandate to emphasize intelligence-driven operations, community outreach, and strict internal discipline. Replacing AIG Danladi Isa, who has transitioned to the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Kaduna, Afolabi intends to align the state command with the professional standards promoted by Inspector-General Olatunji Disu.
The new Commissioner plans to revitalize the state’s intelligence network to better anticipate and prevent criminal activity. He intends to foster closer ties with local community figures, including religious leaders, educators, and traditional rulers, to facilitate a reliable exchange of information. By building mutual trust, he hopes to ensure that residents feel comfortable reporting security threats to the authorities.
Regarding the upcoming 2027 general elections, Afolabi is initiating specialized training for his personnel. This program will cover essential areas such as electoral law, human rights, and tactical operations to ensure the force is fully prepared. He emphasized that while he is committed to mentoring officers who show room for improvement, he will not tolerate intentional abuse of power. Specifically, he warned that officers who engage in unjustified violence against civilians will face severe disciplinary consequences regardless of outside appeals.
Afolabi also highlighted the importance of staff welfare, noting that well-supported officers are naturally more effective. He expressed a desire to maintain a transparent relationship with the media, welcoming public scrutiny as a necessary tool for accountability. A veteran officer with over thirty years of experience, Afolabi previously served in various leadership roles and international peacekeeping missions across Sudan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
