By Ikenna Obianeri
Members of the Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Wednesday, marched around the villages to declare their displeasure against incessant and numerous crimes and criminalities in the area.
The one-day ‘security awareness’ exercise was initiated by the Central Executive Council of Obosi Development Union and aimed at declaring their readiness to combat crime and criminals.
They marched around the community starting from the town hall and across the entire five major villages that make up the Obosi community, including Mmakwu, Ugamuma, Uruowulu, Umuota and Ire.
Speaking during the exercise, the President-General of ODU, Chimezie Obi, lamented that crimes and other atrocities have continued to mar both commercial and economic activities as well as denting the image of the entire Obosi people.
Obi emphasised that the exercise, the second of its kind in the history of the administration of the town union executives is aimed at warning criminal elements in the community to amend their ways or flee from the community.
“We also engaged in this march past to also declare an end to extortions, robberies, kidnappings, human trafficking, money laundering, etc. We will engage effective tactics and strategies necessary to achieve our goal in this fight against criminalities and we also promise to make stipends available for the organised youth security system in all the villages.
Also speaking, a former President General of ODU and the Commander, Obosi Central Security, Sir Dan Igbokwubiri, warned parents and guardians to contain any security threat by taming their wards or face the wrath of the law.
Igbokwubiri, who affirmed that the strategy to be deployed is an invocation of already tested and trusted tactics in the past, assured that the committee had already established a well-structured security architecture, noting that there is no escape for any fleeing criminal.
He emphasised that the challenges plaguing the entire committee is multifaceted and assured of his readiness to also collaborate with other neighbouring community to make the war against insecurity yield a maximum positive result.
Some of the kingmakers, Chief Udemba Nnodebe and Isiowo Youth Chairman, Nze Chinedu Ikemefuna, commended the leadership of the committee for their good Initiative, noting that it is indeed, a unique move to take the community back from hoodlums.
While calling for accountability, they urged the central executive council to work hard to flush the bad eggs within the community to create more room for success in the security campaign and affirm their unalloyed support and commitment to the crusade.
In his separate remarks, the transition committee chairman of Idemili North local government area, ChuksBrown Ezeoba, commended the move and assured of his absolute commitment and support in ensuring a safe and secured council area.