Awka – Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, on Sunday, read the riot act to criminals following the recent attacks on police and naval formations in the state.
Last week Thursday, gunmen had shot and killed naval officers and policemen at Awkuzu junction along Enugu-Onitsha expressway and Neni in Anaocha council Area respectively, carting away sophisticated weapons.
Unidentified gunmen had also attacked and killed Correctional officers enroute from the court with inmates at Ekwulobia in Aguata LGA on Friday.
In the wee hours of Sunday, the Police station at Mgbakwu in Awka North Council Area of the state was also attacked, although unsuccessfully.
In a state broadcast yesterday in Awka yesterday, Obiano condemned the attacks on security personnel, saying his administration is doing everything possible to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Warning that any attacks on security personnel in Anambra is a direct attack on the State itself, Obiano maintained that those who attack the state are obviously bent on distorting the peace and security it had enjoyed in the past seven years and the state will resist such attempt with its greatest might.
“Since these attacks commenced, I have personally coordinated security Commanders in the State with a joint effort to halt this mayhem and by God’s, we will surely succeed. The State Security Council has met twice and I summoned another emergency meeting this afternoon hence my address. We have received massive Police, Army, Navy and DSS deployment since yesterday and they have joined their teams on ground to enforce security,” Obiano revealed.
He said it is time for all security agencies, the vigilante services, and all task forces to rise in the defense of the state, calling all youths in Anambra State, all communities, all market task forces and every outfit in this State to duty.
The governor noted that going forward, extensive security activities will be obvious across the state, warning that fitted tinted glasses on vehicles as well as covered plate numbers will no longer be allowed on all roads within the State.
He said, ”Security agencies will be conducting special and strategic operations aimed at neutralising the emerging threats to our collective safety. I therefore ask for the understanding of the public as this goes on and assure you that all law abiding citizens have nothing to worry about.”
On the growing incidences of cultism and cult-related killings across the state, Obiano said he has ordered a clampdown on all cultists and their activities.
“This state shall no longer tolerate the violence that erupts now and then in the name of cultism. Those who try our will in this regard will have themselves to blame! I urge all youths in the State to shun cultism and embrace meaningful lifestyles.
“In the same vein, 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,” he fumed.
The Anambra Chief Executive assured all residents of the state that he is on top of the security situation in the state and that the state shall very soon, surmount this challenge.
He however urged the public to be forthcoming in volunteering valuable information that will help nip the activities of the hoodlums in the bud.
