By Tony Okafor
For Anambra State, silence spoke volumes in the first month of CP Ikioye Orutugu’s assumption of office as Commissioner of Police.
At the time he took over command—arguably at the peak of insecurity in the state—not a single gunshot was recorded across Anambra for one full month. There was no spectacle of brute force, no dramatic show of might—just calm, and a crime-free stretch that spoke volumes.
Rather than rely on coercion, CP Orutugu deployed what observers now describe as morasuasion policing—a communication-driven approach that blends moral pressure with persuasion.
Rooted in dialogue, intelligence, community trust and ethical authority, the method rejects fear as a policing tool.
In a society fatigued by aggressive law enforcement and mutual suspicion, Orutugu’s approach has quietly redefined effective policing. Security, after all, is sustained not merely by the presence of arms, but by the presence of legitimacy.
Through consistent engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders, the Police have been repositioned not as an occupying force, but as partners in peace.
Intelligence-led operations, sustained patrols and inter-agency collaboration have been strengthened, always anchored on communication and community buy-in.
The results are evident. During the 2025 ember months, Anambra recorded a remarkable influx of returnees. Indigenes from across Nigeria and the diaspora returned home in large numbers, confident enough to celebrate, reunite and move freely.
That confidence remains the most honest performance index of any police command.
This renewed public trust was echoed recently when retired senior police officers of Anambra origin paid courtesy visits to CP Orutugu at the Command Headquarters in Awka.
The retired officers unanimously commended the visible improvement in security and the restoration of public confidence.
In response, CP Orutugu credited proactive policing, community cooperation and the solid foundation laid by officers before him—reinforcing the importance of institutional memory and mentorship in sustainable reform.
It is therefore unsurprising that the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, named him Best Crime Fighter, Man of the Year 2025.
When journalists—trained to be sceptical of power—offer such recognition, it carries weight.
Orutugu’s philosophy invites comparison with retired CP Aderemi Adeoye, whose retirement drew rare grassroots honours, including chieftaincy titles and land gifts.
Such legacies underline a broader point: officers of this calibre should not be idle a day after retirement. Their wealth of experience should be deliberately harnessed at higher levels of security management in the interest of society.
If sustained, morasuasion policing may well become Anambra’s most valuable export—a model proving that peace is not imposed, but persuaded.
Policing does not have to be loud to be effective. Authority does not have to be violent to be respected. Sometimes, the most powerful sound of all is the absence of gunshots.
