Security Reset: NUJ Pledges Partnership As Super Cop, CSP Azees Nuhu Takes Charge In Sapele

Victor Otuya

There is a new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in town. And Sapele, the ancient and cosmopolitan timber and plywood township is expectant. Known for its commerce, culture and complexities, Sapele welcomed a new Divisional Police Officer, CSP Azees Nuhu, a man whose name resonates with professionalism, operational excellence and what many in the security circle will call a “super cop”.

Today, the Sapele Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its Chairman, Comrade Nelson Obukowho Agbajor, made a strategic courtesy visit to the new DPO at the Sapele Divisional Police Headquarters, to formally welcome him, felicitate with him on his new posting, and to lay the foundation for a robust Police-Media partnership in the interest of peace and security in Sapele and its environs.

The visit, which took place in a very warm and cordial atmosphere, was more than a mere protocol. It was a meeting of two critical stakeholders in nation-building – the Police, which secures the society, and the media, which informs, educates, and builds public trust.

Azees Nuhu : A super cop with track record

CSP Azees Nuhu is not new to police operations. From the way he addressed the media in his brief interaction suggest a man whose career trajectory in the Nigeria Police Force, is encapsulated in three major principles: no-nonsense, highly disciplined, and intelligence-driven officer who combines street experience with administrative finesse. His posting to Sapele, one of the most sensitive and strategically important Divisions in the Delta State Police Command, could be seen as a calculated move by the police high command to stabilize and strengthen policing in the Sapele Divisional Police area.

Sapele needs a super cop with experience. With its bustling timber markets, growing population, youths restiveness, cult-related challenges, and its status as a melting pot of different cultures and interests, it requires a policeman who understands both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to policing. A policeman who can engage the community while also confronting criminality head-on.

From his brief address, CSP Nuhu fits that bill perfectly. According to him, his operational style is anchored on proactive policing, intelligence gathering, community partnership, and respect for human rights. He is a cop who believes that a policeman must be both feared by criminals and loved by law-abiding citizens.

During the visit, the new DPO received the journalists with open arms and a large dose of humility. He thanked the NUJ Correspondents Chapel for the honour of the visit and stated unequivocally that he could not succeed without the media.

“I am happy to receive you. I see you as partners in progress. Policing in the 21st century is not about guns and uniforms alone; it is about information management, public trust, and collaboration. I need you to help me police Sapele better,” CSP Nuhu said.

From his remark, it does appearead that his policing philosophy in Sapele will be anchored on three pillars: visibility policing, community engagement, and zero tolerance for criminality and unprofessional conduct among his men. He explained that under his watch, Sapele Division will not be a haven for extortion, brutality, or human rights abuses, noting that he will instil discipline and professionalism.

In his response, the chairman of the Sapele Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ Comrade Nelson Obukowho Agbajor, thanked the DPO for his warm reception and assured him of the cqhapel’s readiness to support his administration with objective, balanced and developmental reporting.

The chairman noted that the media in Sapele has always been partners with the police in fighting crime through timely reportage, but appealed to the new DPO to sustain an open-door policy, prompt response to enquiries, and regular interface with journalists, especially in times of crisis or sensitive incidents.

“Our job is not to fight the police, but to help the police succeed in the interest of the public. We will not publish sensational falsehood to tarnish the police, but we will also not cover up wrongdoing. We believe in responsible journalism that promotes peace,” the NUJ chairman stated.

He also raised concerns about some grey areas that have strained police-media relations in the past, including harassment of journalists on duty, delay in access to information, and the need for protection of journalists covering crime scenes, and expressed optimism that CSP Nuhu’s experience will help resolve them.

Another member of the chapel Comrade Victor Otuya, who by the special Grace of God is the wtiter of this article in his brief remark during the visit echoed similar sentiments as that of the chairman promising that the NUJ members will use their various platforms – print, broadcast and online blogs to project the positive image of the Police Division and to sensitize the public on security consciousness.

Sapele is waiting to tap from the experience of CSP Azees Nuhu. And the reason for this is simple. Sapele has been in need of a stabilizing force.
Residents want to sleep with both eyes closed. Business owners want to operate without fear of cultists, armed robbers, and kidnappers. Youths want a police officer they can approach, not a bullying officer they will run away from. Traditional rulers want a DPO who will respect the community structure. The media wants a DPO who understands the role of information in modern policing.

CSP Azees Nuhu, with his pedigree as a super cop, brings a breath of fresh air. He is coming at a time when the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has been preaching community policing, professionalism, and technology-driven policing. His experience in crime fighting, investigation, and division administration across several commands in the country positions him to deliver.

Sapele is not just waiting. It is ready to share intelligence, ready to collaborate, and ready to support a DPO who is ready to work.

The courtesy visit ended with a group photograph, exchange of contacts, and a joint commitment to make Sapele safer and more secure. The journalists left the Division with a renewed sense of hope, while the DPO returned to his desk, fully aware that the eyes of Sapele are on him, and the pens of Sapele correspondents are ready to write his story, for posterity to judge.

For now, the signals from the Sapele Police Divisional Headquarters are positive. A new sheriff is in town. The super cop has arrived. And Sapele is indeed waiting to tap from the wealth of experience of this invaluable super cop.

Victor Otuya, a journalist and member of the Sapele Corresponents Chapel of the NUJ, wrote from Sapele, Delta State. Q