Chinedum Treasure
Anambra State government has restated its commitment to fighting all forms of terror and terrorism in the state.
Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor gave the assurance on Saturday during the Department of State Services (DSS) Public Awareness Campaign tagged “Unite Against Terror.”
The sensitisation walk against violent crime across the State brought together personnel from various security agencies, including the Police,
Nigeria Correctional Service, Immigration, NDLEA, Agunaechemba
Heads Federal Establishments, Ministry of Information, Red Cross, Anambra Bus Drivers Forum (ABDF), Anambra Tricycle Rider Forum (ATRF) among others.
Addressing newsmen at the Light House Tower where the march culminated, the commissioner warned those hiding under the umbrella of terrorism, claiming freedom fighters and deceiving youths in the state to desist from such deceit.
According to him, those killing and maiming people of the state and calling themselves liberators are lying, insisting that such could not be mistaken to be freedom fighting.
He said, “We’re uniting against terror and terrorism. Don’t be deceived; terrorism is not the same thing as freedom fighting.
“We’ve seen terror activities in Anambra and the entire Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast. They want the youth to believe that their activities are targeted at liberation. You don’t liberate us by killing us.
“Those who are killing us and calling themselves liberators are lying because that’s not freedom fighting. We must have to unite against terror, just like other states across the country are doing, and we must be in the vanguard.”
Mefor explained that the massive transformation witnessed in the state under the current administration could be linked to relative peace in the state.
“If the state can experience these level of transformation amidst pockets of insecurity, imagine what would have happened if there were no insecurity at all.
“You need to know how much Mr Governor is pumping into security. Such money could have gone into education, health, more infrastructure and others.
“If there’s no peace, there’s no development. We need security which is everybody’s business. It’s not government alone. We need to secure our state and country because we have no other to call our own.
“That’s why the slogan, “if you see something, say something, and government will do something. That’s also why government has intensified the whistle blowing policy, assuring any information received be treated with utmost confidentiality,” he added.
Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the solidarity march was aimed at raising public awareness on dangers of violent crime and need for collective responsibility in maintaining peace and security in the State.
He urged the public to reject violence, avoid acts capable of disrupting public peace and cooperate with security agencies in the collective effort to make the state safer.
“The walk is aimed at reinforcing the security agencies’ commitment to inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, community engagement and proactive crime prevention, while encouraging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate security authorities,” he explained.
While reiterating that security of the State remained collective responsibility, Ikenga called on residents, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious organisations, youth and women groups, transport unions and other stakeholders to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that could assist in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements.
Also speaking, Director Operation Agunechemba, Chief Chinenye Ihenko said the state owned security outfit had continued to intensify efforts targeted at ensuring average resident slept with his two eyes closed.
“Yes, you can’t eradicate it, but you can control crime. We’re bold to say that unlike what was obtainable years back, we’ve, in collaboration with other security agencies fought criminality to stand still and will continue to be on top of the game,” he added.
About Author
