The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 200 suspected criminals believed to be terrorising the state.
Parading some of the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Amawbia-Awka, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, said the suspects were apprehended in various parts of the state within two months of his assumption as the 34th Commissioner of Police in the state.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner Itam stated, “I want to welcome you all today, the 12th of July 2024, to Anambra State Police Command Headquarters, Awka. I give thanks to the Almighty God for His favour and mercies and to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for finding me worthy to serve as the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, at this critical moment in our nation’s history.
“Today marks exactly the 60th day since I assumed this national assignment to serve Ndi Anambra and our dear nation. I am very delighted to address you today and to provide members of the public updates on the Command’s law and order activities and achievements in our fight against crime and criminalities in the State.
“On assumption of office with my strategic officers, we reviewed and evaluated policing capabilities and threats within the state’s critical assets and embarked upon painstaking intelligence gathering through robust synergy with core sister security agencies, organised vigilante groups, and other stakeholders.”
“I must specifically commend the security-conscious Governor of the State, Chukwuma Soludo, and I am therefore happy, despite obvious challenges, to say that we are repositioning and priming law enforcement as a design to restructure security governance architecture in the state.
“Efforts at reducing crime and criminality are yielding positive results, and we are changing the narrative. During the 60 days since my arrival, over two hundred (200) suspects have been arrested for various crimes, and we have secured five (5) convictions with ongoing trials.
“We have rescued four (4) kidnapped victims unharmed. Recovered over thirty-three (33) different brands of arms, including AK47s, pump-action guns, locally made pistols, and others. Over 1,644 pieces of ammunition of various types have been recovered. Twenty-seven (27) stolen vehicles have been recovered. Different brands of motorcycles and money, amongst other exhibits, are part of ongoing investigations.
He continued, “Another significant innovation in the Command is the ongoing training and retraining of officers and men to improve operational proficiency and acquire more skills in crime prevention strategies. We have conducted a security summit involving the informal security sector, with attendance from vigilante groups, hunters, and other relevant security outfits in the State, to enhance an all-inclusive policing system.
“Also, we are consulting and engaging relevant stakeholders like traditional rulers, market leaders, youth groups, and civil society organisations in the State.
“In our drive to combat all forms of criminality, the window of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Community Policing principles is open for those desiring to take advantage of such avenues to resolve specific problems and issues. The Command will soon unveil the ‘Anambra State Police Community Policing Model.'”
“I am not unmindful of challenges bordering on professional misconduct on the part of our officers and men; we have resuscitated the “Complaint Response Unit” (CRU) to complement other Police Units that act as watchdogs to make that personnel comply with the ethics of the job in the discharge of their duties and investigate complaints against officers
“I believe that every resident or visitor to Anambra State deserves to be treated decently in line with the policing principles of *IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM
“I want to extend appreciation to the Judiciary and the Anambra State Government for signing into law the Anti-Cultism Law, specifying a jail term of a minimum of 21 years with no option of a fine on any person found culpable of cult-related activities and a legal confinement of six months, or the option to pay half a million naira on anyone harassing innocent individuals to obtain illegal tolls, land grabbers, or any related activities in the State.
These developments shall further re-echo the campaign and stand against touting and cultism, especially the police, on the advocacy programme, Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), a programme targeted to sensitise the youths on the dangers of bad groups, drugs, and other vices.
” Lastly and most importantly, there is no doubt that, as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, you are critical partners in the peace and security architecture of the state.
“Your primary role in communicating effectively and transparently to the general public about major incidents in our country confers on you the position of stakeholders. How we manage this vital and sensitive role should weigh in favour of our national interests. I therefore count on your valuable support, devoid of sentiments, to be able to effectively police Anambra State.
“Recently, there have been three trending videos on social media intended to paint the police in Anambra in a bad light. These videos include a demonstration at the government house about cult-related deaths in the Awka metropolis. Another is about an incident in Umueri in Otucha and a picture of dismissed policemen purportedly kidnappers in uniforms. I advise journalists to check with the Public Relations Department of the Command before uploading and commenting on content on social media about the Police.
“For those who have been misled to take to crime, you are warned to retrace your steps as the command is poised to deal squarely with any acts of criminality without regard for status. As far as we are concerned, there are no unknown gunmen in Anambra State. People who are terrorising innocent citizens must be held accountable for their crimes, the CP concluded.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the weapons ranging from AK47s, pump action guns, live ammunition, hard drugs, and army uniforms confirmed to have been confiscated from the suspects were displayed before journalists during the parade and briefing exercise.
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