ACP Ajidahun Honoured For Effective Policing

Commander of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Auchi, Edo State, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Lawrence Ajidahun, has continued to attract recognition, with stakeholders commending his community-driven policing strategy to strengthen security and boost public confidence in the area command.

Ajidahun recently received the African Trailblazer Excellent Merit Award in Public Service Delivery, from the Unveiling African Parliament Writers Network (UAPWN) in collaboration with Parliamentary Initiatives and the ECOWAS Commission Annex, Abuja.

The organisers said the honour was in recognition of his commitment to effective policing, public service and community engagement.

The recognition comes amid ongoing efforts by the Auchi Area Command to tackle security challenges, including kidnapping, communal disputes, and criminal activities along the Benin–Auchi–Lokoja corridor.

Under Ajidahun’s leadership, the command has adopted a proactive policing strategy centred on intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, rapid response operations, and stronger partnerships with local communities.

The approach has been credited with improving security coordination and enhancing public trust in law enforcement.

A major feature of his administration has been sustained engagement with critical stakeholders through community safety meetings involving youth organisations, market associations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, and other community representatives. These forums have provided opportunities to identify security concerns, strengthen information sharing, and develop collective solutions to emerging threats.

Security observers noted that the command’s achievements have been driven by teamwork among police officers, sister security agencies, local vigilante groups, government authorities, and residents who continue to support efforts to maintain peace and order.

Beyond crime-fighting, the Area Command has also implemented several community-oriented initiatives to foster stronger relationships between the police and the public. These include medical outreach programmes, public enlightenment campaigns on road safety and the prevention of electoral violence, as well as community walks and interactive forums that encourage constructive engagement between officers and residents.

ACP Ajidahun has also thrown his weight behind the Edo State Community Safety Partnership initiative, which promotes shared responsibility among government institutions, security agencies, and citizens to address security challenges and sustain peace.

Residents within the Auchi Area Command have continued to acknowledge what they describe as a more accessible and responsive policing system, with many commending the Area Commander for maintaining open channels of communication and encouraging community participation in security matters.

As part of the recognition programme, the organisers also announced the forthcoming launch of the African Trailblazers Magazine, a pan-African publication dedicated to celebrating outstanding leadership and service across the continent. ACP Ajidahun is expected to feature in the maiden edition, which will highlight his professional journey, leadership philosophy, operational achievements, and contributions to community-based policing.

Observers say the recognition underscores the growing importance of leadership that combines operational efficiency with public engagement, noting that effective policing increasingly depends on collaboration, accountability, and the confidence of the communities that security agencies are sworn to protect.