…As Amawbia monarch cautions on State Police

The new Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama has begun the tour of the Senatorial zones of Anambra South, North and Central as part of hhs commitment as part of his strategies in strengthening stakeholders’ involvement in community policing.

CP Ama is from Ebonyi State and his recent deployment as the State Police Commissioner to Anambra State raises hope of the urgent disposition of the federal government to fast- track the birth of the State Police .stakeholders” belief that the State Police is an answer to the challenges besetting the police occasioned by poor knowledge of the populace, environment and terrains.

The security stakeholders’ interactive meeting held in Nnewi which kick-started at Anaedo Hall, Nnewi, Nnewi North headquarters for Anambra South Sensational district, is holding at Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Council Area for Anambra North and will end at Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, the State capital for Anambra Central, tomorrow.

As part of the activities, the CP also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Orizu III of Nnewi, the Police Area Command where he once served as the Area Commander in Nnewi during his career and engage other key stakeholders in the Senatorial District in attendance were the all the stakeholders from the seven local government areas in Anambra South Senatorial District, Aguata, Ekwusigo, Ihiala, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Orumba North, and Orumba South.

Speaking during the event, CP Ana expressed a desire to renew the strategy of deepening community-based and intelligence-led policing through sustained collaboration with traditional rulers, political leaders, community leaders, youth groups, religious bodies, business communities, sister security agencies and other critical stakeholders.

CP Ama noted that the objectives of the meeting was engagement in intelligence -sharing, provision of platform to identify local security challenges , share actionable information collaboration and foster ties among the police, traditional rulers, market leaders, youth groups and sister security agencies.

The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to identify emerging security challenges, share actionable intelligence, strengthen inter-agency and community collaboration, and develop practical strategies for enhancing public safety across Anambra South District.

The Commissioner of Police stressed that effective policing required the collective support and partnership of the residents, observing that the Command’ would continue with its commitment in protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and maintaining peace and public order throughout the State.

He hinted that the security stakeholders’ meeting across the senatorial district in the state would continue and aim at encouraging residents to actively participate in the engagement and contribute meaningfully towards building a safer and more secure Anambra State.

Speaking on the sideline of the stakeholders engagement meeting, Igwe Okonkwo opposed the idea of the much-touted State Police, urging the Federal Government to shelve the idea on the ground that it will suffer a similar fate with the local government administration.

Igwe Okonkwo who is popularly called Igwe Ugboogiliga III of the ancient Amawbia Kingdom opined that the Federal Government should handle the local government council elections to make it freer and fairer.
According to him, local government elections conducted across the federation see the ruling party in the state secure victory in a bandwagon manner, attributing, contending that the State Police wouldn’t be any different.

Igwe Okonkwo said there’s a need to recruit able-bodied men and equip them with necessary skills so they can perform optimally as professionals and prevent or combat crimes.

The monarch wondered if the local government council polls are fairly conducted.

He said: “The Federal Government should stop creating State Police. This one is intimidation of killing using the police . Instead of the State Police, let the federal government recruit, train and send more people into police.

According to him, there’s a need to expand and extend divisional police stations across the state to meet the demands of effective community policing to create additional six police divisions to serve Ukwulu and Nawgu in Dunukofia Local Government Council Area, Awka North, among others.

Igwe Okonkwo also suggested that the police need a supervising agency to monitor and controlling the excesses.

Earlier, the President -general of Nzuko ora Nnewi, Prince Osumuo noted that the industrial nerve-centre of the State deserves huge investment in security to protect the residents, their lives and business enterprises.

In his remark, the Orumba North Local Government Council Area Mayor, Casmir Nwafor called on the young people to develop interest in pursuing a career in the police force.

Nwafor, a retired captain recounted that he joined the army and spent about 15 years., pointing out that the State and Zone would gain a lot by joining the police and army, among other sister agencies to drive protective and combative duties for a safer and secure environment. internally and externally.

PHOTO CAPTION: Anambra CP Nnanna Oji Ama with members of the state-controlled vigilante group, Agunechemba