The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has issued a strong warning to police personnel against the unjustified use of firearms and other forms of serious professional misconduct, declaring that interventions by traditional rulers, religious leaders or other influential persons will not shield erring officers from disciplinary action.
CP Afolabi gave the warning on Monday, August 10, 2026, during his maiden interaction with journalists shortly after assuming duty as the 35th Commissioner of Police in Abia State at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia.
The new Police Commissioner said his administration would prioritise training, capacity building and mentorship to help officers improve their professional conduct, stressing that not every infraction should automatically result in dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.
He, however, drew a clear distinction between professional lapses that could be corrected through mentoring and serious misconduct involving the unjustified use of lethal force.
“It’s not every offence that will lead to dismissal. There are some; we will mentor them to do the right thing,” CP Afolabi said.
Warning officers against the unlawful use of firearms, the Commissioner declared that he would not entertain appeals from influential individuals seeking to prevent disciplinary action against personnel involved in serious wrongdoing.
“But the gospel truth is that you cannot go and shoot a motorist along the highway for no justifiable reason and expect that you will bring your king or your religious leader to come and beg me, and I will be listening to them and forgive you. I will not forgive you,” he warned.
CP Afolabi maintained that any officer found to have unjustifiably used such force would face appropriate procedures in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the Police Force.
“As far as I’m concerned, you are not fit to be in the Force, and the right thing will be done,” he stated.
The Commissioner explained that his approach to discipline would combine professional development with accountability, giving officers opportunities to improve through training and mentorship while ensuring that deliberate or serious violations attract appropriate consequences.
According to him, substantial resources are invested in the recruitment and training of police personnel, making continuous capacity building important in correcting deficiencies and improving service delivery.
CP Afolabi said his administration would train personnel in areas including human rights, emotional intelligence, investigation, crime mapping and electoral laws, particularly as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Commissioner also identified intelligence-led policing, community engagement, personnel welfare and professionalism as key priorities of his administration.
He pledged to strengthen relationships between the Police and traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths, business owners and other stakeholders, saying mutual trust would encourage the public to provide credible information needed to prevent and combat crime.
CP Afolabi assumed duty following the promotion and redeployment of his predecessor, AIG Danladi Isa, to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Kaduna.
The new Commissioner, who has more than three decades of policing experience, has pledged to lead a disciplined, professional and citizen-oriented Police Command while strengthening existing security structures across Abia State.
