The Anambra State Police Command, yesterday  raised an alarm over the growing presence of security operatives that conceal their identities while providing protection to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) within the state.

The Command noted that while security duties often require tactical discretion, the act of masking identities without proper authorisation raises significant security concerns.

Spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that such practices not only pose a potential threat to public safety but also undermine trust, accountability, and the integrity of inter-agency collaboration.

He said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, had reiterated that identifiable security personnel remains a critical component of coordinated security operations, especially in an environment that demands synergy among various agencies.

“The use of masks by operatives, particularly in non-operational or public-facing assignments, such as VIP protection, makes it difficult to verify legitimacy and could be exploited by criminal elements to perpetrate unlawful acts under the guise of security duties,” he said.

He added that the police commissioner called on all security agencies operating within the state to ensure that their personnel are properly identified at all times while on routine or protective duties, except in clearly defined tactical operations sanctioned by appropriate authorities.

Besides, he stated that the state’s police command remains dedicated to upholding professionalism, accountability, and public trust in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.