Felix Mbata, Lagos state
Policing cannot succeed where there is no trust between citizens and security agencies. That was the message on Thursday 21st May, 2026 as Eze Emmanuel Okparachukwu, South West Leader of Searchlight Private Detective of Nigeria, welcomed guests to a forum on Strengthening Security: Citizen Partnership on Fostering Inter-Ethnic Cohesion for Peaceful Co-existence and the Unveiling of Our New Insignia for Effective Policing.
The event, organized by Search Light Initiative and SPDN Intelligence Collaboration Community Policing — aka Watchdog Corp — brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, security heads, and community stakeholders in Lagos.
Eze Okparachukwu, delivering the welcome address, said the gathering was about closing the gap between the people and those tasked to protect them.
“On behalf of Search Light Initiative and SPDN Intelligence Collaboration Community Policing, I warmly welcome you to today’s event,” he began.
“We are here because security works best when it’s built on trust. No agency can police a community it does not understand, and no community can be safe without working with those tasked to protect it.”
He outlined three objectives for the day:
“First, by strengthening real partnership between citizens and security actors.
Second, by turning our ethnic diversity into a foundation for unity, not division.
Third, by unveiling our new insignia — a symbol of accountability, professionalism and our commitment to serve with integrity.”
Okparachukwu described the insignia as more than a logo. “This insignia is a public pledge: that our operations will be guided by intelligence, transparency and respect for every citizen, regardless of background,” he said.
He thanked the dignitaries and partners for their support, and singled out community leaders: “Your role in building trust on the ground is irreplaceable.”
Turning to the audience, he charged them to own the process: “And to everyone here, this is your platform. Use it. Let today be the start of a stronger partnership, safer communities, and lasting peace.”
He concluded: “Thank you for honouring us with your presence. May the discussions today turn to action on the ground. God bless you and welcome once again.”
The welcome address set the tone for Watchdog Corp’s new direction: policing rooted in intelligence, transparency, and citizen collaboration.
By unveiling its insignia as a “public pledge,” the organization is telling communities that accountability is now visible and measurable. By framing ethnic diversity as a foundation for unity, it is directly countering the divisions that criminals exploit.
As Okparachukwu stated, “no community can be safe without working with those tasked to protect it.” If that partnership holds, the new insignia will become more than a symbol — it will become a standard.