The Anambra State Police Command disclosed on Sunday that it has arrested over 700 suspected cultists and 38 armed robbers in different parts of the state using proactive and intelligence methods.
Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Umar while making the disclosure in Awka noted that the arrests were clear signals that Anambra was no longer a safe haven for criminals.
Umar said, “This number of arrests within three weeks to me, is unprecedented and we will sustain the tempo until we flush out all the bad eggs in the state”.
Emphasizing that the police recovered several types of arms and ammunition from the suspects, the CP said some of the suspects had been arraigned adding that the command was still investigating cases leveled against others.
He said that additional personnel had been deployed in Anambra by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, to beef up the existing security in the state.
Umar further stated that the command had created 20 new units and deployed its personnel to various flash points across the state.
“I personally patrol some of these locations to ensure efficient operations. I am not an arm chair police commissioner.
“I move round myself to make sure that things are done the right way for security of lives and property of residents” the CP said.
Umar warned those who were in the habit of operating in offices and residential houses, especially around the Government House, Awka axis, to desist.
He said that the command had set its dragnet in every location in the state; especially Awka, the capital, and that any person or group caught would be severely dealt with.
Read Also:
- Obi laments terrible state of Nigerian Roads; Spent over 7 hours moving from Anambra to Kogi
- Lagbaja’s Leave: No Leadership Vacuum in the Service – Army Declares; Says COAS activated Necessary Protocols for Deputy, COPP to Act in his Absence
- CDS Salutes Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon at 90 for Promoting Peace and Unity in Nigeria
On extortion of money and other corrupt conducts by police officers, Umar warned them to shun such negative conduct, adding that corruption was viewed as a serious offence.
“I have read my riot acts to officers and men in Anambra State Police Command that under this administration of the present IG, there is zero tolerance to corruption.
“No police personnel can extort money from an individual or group and go free.
“We have the mechanism to checkmate the activities of our men; both the Inspector General and Commissioner of Police monitoring units are working hard.
“We gave out our telephone numbers to the public to report any case of extortion and act of incivility and misconduct to us”.
The commissioner also advised the people of the state to disregard threats by any group that the forthcoming Nov. 18 governorship election in Anambra would not hold.
“We learnt that there are some disgruntled elements making some pronouncements against the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that people should boycott the Nov.18 governorship election in the state.
“The group can say whatever they like, but the police and other security agents have a duty to secure the nation and as well ensure that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is protected.
“Where offences are committed; we will enforce the laws handed over to us for enforcement. We are ever ready to do that in Anambra and that is the fact.
“We have all the resources at our disposal to ensure that those who are eligible to vote perform their civic responsibilities without any molestation.
“And nobody within or outside the state can stop the exercise.”
END
Support from Agency Reports.
