GOV OBIANO FUMES OVER SECURITY PERSONNEL ATTACKS
Reporter : ONYINYE CHIJIOBI
Anambra State Government has directed all security agencies, the Vigilance Service, Special Task Force and other security infrastructure to rise to the defence of the citizens.
Governor Willie Obiano, who gave the directive in an address to the recent killings of security agents, maintained that his administration was committed towards restoring order and security of its citizens.
Briefing journalists, Governor Obiano lammented that within the past few weeks, the state had witnessed a planned and targeted attacks on security personnel and facilities in the State by some armed hoodlums.
The Governor noted that Police officers and Naval personnel on official duties at strategic checkpoints in various locations in the State as well as prison personnel were attacked, killed and their firearms taken away.
Governor Obiano said that a Police outpost was attacked unsuccessfully at Mgbakwu, as joint Police, vigilante and Community efforts repelled the attackers.
“Police Officers and Navy personnel on official duties at strategic checkpoints in various locations in the State were sporadically attacked, killed and their firearms taken away.
“Also, prison and police personnel conveying an inmate to court were equally attacked and killed” Governor Obiano narrated angrily.
The Governor also added: “Let me emphatically state that any attacks on security personnel in Anambra is a direct attack on the State itself and will be resisted with our greatest might.
“Those who attack us are obviiously intent on distorting the peace and security we have enjoyed in Anambra State in the past seven years and we will not allow that” Obiano emphasized.
He condemned the attacks on security personnel, saying that he would do everything within his powers to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Governor said that the state had received massive Police, Army, Navy and DSS deployment on ground to enforce security.
Governor Obiano called on all youths, communities, markets task force and other security outfits in the area to rise to protect the state.
While sympathizing with the security agencies and families of those killed in the recent attacks, Governor Obiano urged all those involved in ongoing security efforts not to relent.
“As your Governor, I hereby raise the security alert in the State and I commit to restoring order and security immediately.
” I call on everybody irrespective of affiliations to come together and support Government and security agencies to fight our common enemy.
“Those who seek to destroy what we have laboured to build must not be tolerated in any manner,” the Governor reacted.
He admonished all security agencies in the State to step out in full boldness to reclaim the public space, dominate the streets, confront criminals when identified and urgently restore order and safety to Anambra State.
He also used the opportunity to announce that the police had arrested three principal suspects of a horryifying video of the killing and beheading of an alleged cultist by members of a viral cult group.
The Governor noted that he had ordered a clampdown on all cultists and their activities, saying that the state would no longer tolerate the violence that erupts now and then in the name of cultism.
“The state shall no longer tolerate the violence that erupts now and then in the name of cultism and all kinds of touting in the State in whatever guise, especially in Onitsha will no longer be tolerated.
“Security agencies are hereby directed to arrest anybody hanging on the road with sticks and molesting innocent citizens, drivers etc. The madness must stop.
“We cannot allow our security achievements and status as the safest state in Nigeria to be compromised at all” the governor said.
The Governor restated the call for collective efforts by all Anambra people to defend the State against these recent attacks on security personnel and formations as this was the only solution to forestalling criminality in the area.
“I urge all Anambra people and residents in the State to come together, support Government and security agencies so that we can fight and win the war.
“I assure you all that I am on top of the situation and that we shall very soon surmount this challenge,” the Governor promised.
On the kidnap of the President General of Omor, the governor assured the people that the Government and security agencies were doing everything to apprehend the kidnappers.
“Let me assure all Omor people that the Government and security agencies are doing everything to apprehend the kidnappers with a few arrests made already.
“Massive security deployment will also be strategically made along the Ayamelum axis to stop further incursions by criminals,” Governor Obiano assured.
The Governor stated that fitted tinted glasses on vehicles as well as covered number plate y would no longer be allowed on all roads within the State.