The Delta State Police Command staged a walkathon on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, as part of the second day of the National Police Week. The event aimed to promote public safety, community engagement, and the physical fitness of officers.

Promoting Visibility and Trust

Starting from the Delta Command Police Headquarters on Okpanam Road, participants covered a 3.2-kilometre route to the Stephen Keshi Stadium and back. The exercise involved officers from the Command and mirrored similar walkathons across all nine Area Commands in Delta State.

“The walkathon reflects our commitment to community-oriented policing,” said Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi psc, acipm, mnips. “It demonstrates that our officers are always within reach of the public and ready to ensure their safety.”

He encouraged residents to partner with the police, bring forward complaints, and support initiatives that foster peace.

Why It Matters

Community policing has been increasingly recognised as essential to reducing crime and building public trust in law enforcement. Events like the walkathon help officers maintain fitness while reassuring residents that police are accessible and responsive.

“Visible presence and engagement are key to effective policing,” said SP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command. “We want the public to know that we are not only patrolling but actively involved in creating a safe environment for everyone.”

Community and Officer Benefits

Experts note that regular physical activities like walkathons contribute to better officer health, improved morale, and stronger relationships between the police and local communities.

A Delta resident, who took part as a spectator, said: “It’s reassuring to see officers walking among us. It makes the police feel like part of the community, not distant enforcers.”

What’s Next

The Delta State Police Command continues its week-long celebration of National Police Week with further community-oriented activities designed to reinforce public trust and enhance officer engagement.

The Lagos State Police Command has held a walkathon in Ikeja as part of activities marking the 2026 National Police Day, aimed at strengthening public trust and community engagement.

The exercise took place on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, with officers walking approximately four kilometres from the Command Headquarters in Ikeja GRA through Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way alongside personnel from the Police College Ikeja.

Senior officers, Area Commanders, and rank-and-file personnel participated in the event.

Why it matters

Police authorities say the initiative is designed to improve visibility and reassure residents of their presence in communities.

Public trust in law enforcement remains a key issue in Nigeria, with repeated calls for more community-based policing and accountability.

By taking officers out of stations and into public spaces, the Command hopes to bridge the gap between citizens and the police.

“Police are within reach”

The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, said the exercise was a reminder that officers are accessible and committed to public safety.

“The Police are always within reach of the people,” he said, urging residents to support security efforts by reporting concerns.

“We are willing, capable, and ready to address issues professionally and promptly, as policing with humility and integrity remains our watchword.”

Community presence and operational readiness

According to the Command, the walkathon also demonstrated the physical fitness and readiness of officers to respond to security challenges.

Officials say such public-facing initiatives are part of a broader strategy to improve engagement and encourage cooperation from residents.

Industry and public perspective

Security analysts say visible policing can help reduce fear and improve confidence, especially in urban centres like Lagos.

However, they note that sustained trust depends on consistent professionalism, transparency, and accountability in daily operations.

Residents who spoke informally during the event expressed mixed views, with some welcoming the initiative while others called for more concrete reforms.

What’s next

The walkathon is one of several activities lined up for National Police Day celebrations.

Police authorities say more community-focused programmes will follow as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with the public.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) have renewed their commitment to intensifying joint operations against drug cartels, amid growing concerns over the link between illicit drugs and terrorism financing.

The pledge was made during a bilateral counter-narcotics workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday, where officials from both countries outlined plans to disrupt transnational criminal networks and strengthen intelligence sharing.

Why it matters

Authorities say drug trafficking is no longer just a criminal issue but a major global security threat.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), warned that proceeds from illicit drugs are increasingly being used to fund violent extremism.

“The proceeds from the poison sold on our streets are the same funds used to purchase the weapons that destabilize our regions. By attacking the drug trade, we are simultaneously starving the engines of terrorism.”

He described the growing link between drug trafficking and terrorism—often referred to as narco-terrorism—as a “grave threat to global peace, security, and stability.”

Nigeria’s growing role in global drug routes

Marwa said Nigeria’s strategic location has made it a target for international drug cartels, particularly as enforcement pressure rises in Latin America.

“Recent developments indicate that as enforcement pressure intensifies on drug cartels in Latin America… these criminal networks are shifting their focus and operations towards Africa, with Nigeria becoming a key transit hub.”

He added that many drugs entering Nigeria are not for local use but are destined for Europe, North America, and Asia—highlighting the country’s role in global trafficking routes.

Inside the US-Nigeria collaboration

The Abuja workshop aims to produce a 12-month joint action plan focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement, and operational alignment.

Marwa said:

“Our shared objective is to engage in frank, solution-driven discussions that will culminate in a joint declaration of shared priorities and a coordinated action plan for the next twelve months.”

He emphasised that Nigeria would lead execution within its borders, while the United States would provide support aligned with its national interests.

“This partnership is not merely symbolic—it is operational, practical, and results-oriented.”

US-DEA praises NDLEA’s progress

The US-DEA Country Attaché in Nigeria, Daphne Morrison, commended the NDLEA’s recent achievements, including increased arrests and convictions.

“The record-breaking seizures, arrests, and convictions over the past few years are a testament to his dedication and the successes of his war against drug abuse.”

She described the workshop as a critical step in strengthening collaboration between both agencies.

“This workshop is not merely a meeting—it is a declaration of our unified stand against transnational criminal organizations that seek to turn Nigeria into a drug trafficking hub.”

What’s next

Both agencies say the focus will now shift to implementation, with an emphasis on dismantling high-level drug networks and cutting off financial flows.

Morrison added:

“Our goal is to ensure that the collaboration… is proactive and geared toward results, disrupting drug financial networks, and taking down high-level targets.”

Marwa urged participants to prioritise action over discussion.

“The success of this workshop will not be measured merely by the quality of discussions, but by the effectiveness of the actions we take afterward.”

Industry and security perspective

Security analysts say deeper cooperation between Nigeria and the US could improve intelligence gathering and reduce the country’s vulnerability to transnational crime.

They note that tackling drug trafficking could also weaken extremist groups by cutting off a major source of funding.