SOLUDO LAUCHES ANTI-TOUTING SQUAD

REPORTER: BEN ILECHUKWU

In a bid to contain the activities of some unscrupulous elements in motor parks and other public places, the Anambra State Government has launched anti-touting squad in the area.

At the launch in Onitsha, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said the Anti Touting Squad “is part of measures towards restoring law and order in Anambra State.”

According to Governor Soludo, the Anti Touting Squad is to work in synergy with various security agencies including the vigilante, army, civil defence and police for optimum productivity.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo had on assumption of office promised the people of the state that he would eradicate touting completely as a menace considered to be hindering revenue generation and development of the state.

The illegal revenue collected by the touts is believed to have scared prospective traders and investors from coming to Onitsha for business.

Performing the inauguration, Governor Soludo maintained that the exercise was necessitated by the need to restore law and order in Onitsha and its evirons.

Governor Soludo asserted that touting would be a thing of the past as the state government was determined to arrest and prosecute anyone caught to serve as a deterrent to others.

While pointing out that the squad would begin operation from Onitsha to other parts of the state, the Governor advised the squad to adhere strictly to their code of conduct as any market that witnessed the activities of touting would have their union leadership disbanded.

The Governor, however, released some phone numbers to inform government of any touting activities in their areas and warned that anybody engaging in touting or harassing anyone that comes to shop in any market in the state would face the full wrath of the law.

Earlier in a remark, the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chief Chikodiri Anara, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Retired Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi, expressed optimism in the ability of the squad to deliver on the mandate as logistics had already been provided.

They also assured Governor Soludo of positive change by December, 2023, saying that the men of the squad were well trained.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU