Victor EzejaAnambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has called for more security check points for effective policing, as criminals continue to unleash mayhem in parts of the state.
Governor Soludo made the call on Wednesday during his statewide broadcast on security situation in the state.
Soludo said the checkpoints currently in different parts of the state was as a result of rising criminality and general security situation.
The governor’s statement on Anambra security was a backlash of sorts, as it came barely one week after his deputy, Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim, discharged a security checkpoint at Amansea, Awka North Local Government area of the state.
“In normal circumstances, these road blocks wouldn’t have been needed but this is what we brought up on ourselves.
“Our people taking up arms in the bushes, involved in criminality so to speak. Since they have decided to operate in an abnormal way, we now need an abnormal solution.
“It’s not about the most convenient but the most effective. In this circumstance and until the insecurity situation comes down to near zero, we will continue to have the road blocks and FOBs in place.
“Ndi Anambra need more security check points (FOBs) in the coming days, weeks and months because they are very critical in restoring the peace and order being enjoyed in the state so far,” Soludo stated.
He thanked security agencies for their efforts in ensuring that the state is not overun by criminals.
According to him, “the Security Agencies are integral partners to the actualisation of one of the cardinal pillars of this administration, which is the restoration of security, law and order”.
The governor further called for more deployment of security forces to complement the efforts of Anambra State Vigilante service and local security Interventions by the State government.
He also applauded citizens of the state for contributing to the Security Trust Fund, and urged them to further cooperate with the security Agencies to stamp out remaining criminals who are still lurking around the State and perpetrating heinous crimes under various guises.
He noted that fight against criminality will not go without some level of sacrifices and support on the part of the citizens to the security Agencies and pleaded with them to bear these temporal challenges, especially at various checkpoints in the State.
“I want to commend all the citizens of Anambra and the stakeholders who harken to our call that ‘If you see something, say something, if you say something, do something’. And to our youths who have taken the destiny of this state into their hands; to our women and men who had contributed in assisting the government to get hold of criminals in the state. Thank you all.
“I want to use this occasion to specially appreciate the law enforcement agencies; the Nigerian Army, the Navy, the Police, the DSS, the Civil Defense and of course, our very gallant Anambra Vigilante Services and all the volunteers.
“To all the ndi Anambra who have risen up to the occasion, helping to organize the local vigilantes, providing logistics, donation to the security trust fund and those helping in their own little ways to make sure we have a safer homeland.
“There is still work to be done, there are still challenges and all hands must continue to be on deck.”
The governor who reminded the criminals in the bush that their actions have no positive impact on their lives, restated his administration’s resolve to forgive and empower them economically once they come out and surrender.
“I want to use this medium again to appeal to those in the bush and forest, the criminals out there, the kidnappers to come out. We are offering them the opportunity to retrain them and help them start a new productive life.
“The course you have taken by being in the bush is one that leads to nowhere. It is not going to take you to anywhere. Criminality cannot pay you in the long term,” the governor admonished.
“It pains to see these young youths wasting away. You have a future and this government is prepared to work with you to give a new future so that Anambra, the light of the Nation will continue to shine,” he added.
Concerning Soludo’s declaration a week after his deputy sacked a security checkpoint in the State, Steve Nwabuko, an analyst, while commenting in a forum, said: “Governance is contraption, we cheered the Deputy Governor last week; but now we are demurred by executive backlash.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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