SOLUDO LAUDS THE MILITARY & SECURITY AGENCIES FOR RESTORING PEACE AND ORDER IN ANAMBRA STATE
By PAUL NWOSU
Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has in a statewide broadcast lauded the commitment, professionalism and dedication to duty of the Nigerian military and sundry security agencies in the state.
Governor Soludo was specifically appreciative of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, DSS, Civil Defense and other security agencies in firming up the security architecture put in place by his 9-month-old administration to secure Anambra State.
Mr. Governor emphasized that Anambra State is in dire need of security check points (FOBs) in the coming days, weeks and months because the checkpoints are very critical in restoring the peace and order being enjoyed in the state so far.
Governor Soludo stressed that as this is first Christmas in office as Governor of Anambra State, he would like to felicitate with Ndi-Anambra at home and in the Diaspora celebrating Christmas and New Year.
Governor Soludo said: "Our nine months in office has been a journey to serve ndi Anambra and transform the state into a liveable and prosperous homeland that we promised our people. The first key agenda of our five major pillars happens to relate to security, law and order and this is the aspect that I want to specifically talk about, to say to our people, where we were at the time I was sworn into office on the 17th of March 2022 and where we are today, which shows the difference between day and night. On the 17th of March 2022, eight local governments were literally under siege, taken over by criminals and hoodlums in various camps set up in these local governments. But by the grace of God, those 8 local governments have been totally liberated. Law and order seems to be returning back to Anambra. All the camps have been decimated and some of the deadly criminals have been taken out for good."
He further elaborated thusly: "Few days ago, we had over eighty of these touts 'agberos' harassing people around Upper Iweka and environs, taken into custody and to be prosecuted and probably jailed. We are trying to keep our streets safe from touts and criminals. Though we may never have a crime-free society but comparatively, I don't know any state in Nigeria that is safer than Anambra. I want to commend all the citizens of Anambra and the stakeholders who hearkened to our call that 'If you see something, say something, if you say something, do something'. And to our youths who have taken the destiny of this state into their hands; to our women and men who had contributed in assisting government to get hold of criminals in the state. Thank you all."
According to Mr. Governor, "Two weeks ago, one criminal in far away Finland declared five days sit-at-home but ndi Anambra defied the order! Not a single day was observed. Thousands of our people returned back home for Christmas and that is why the streets are all busy. I want to commend our special task forces that we set up to ensure free flow of traffic. In recent decades, this is the first time we have the most free flow of traffic in the state."
A hands-on leader, Governor Soludo posited positive examples thus: "I saw a video of the traffic at Head Bridge and people were manning the place 24 hours a day, and the other locations at Nnobi, Ekwulobia, Nkpor, Awka, Abagana, 33 Onitsha, etc, to ensure that our people move freely. I want to commend the security agencies, the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency, the OCHA Brigade, the Vigilante Services, the Anambra youths who have volunteered to serve our people, to keep our streets safe, restore law and order. I want to use this occasion to specially appreciate the law enforcement agencies; the Nigerian Police, the Navy, the DSS, the Civil Defense and of course, our very gallant Anambra Vigilante Services and all the volunteers. To all the ndi Anambra who have risen up to the occasion, helping to organize the local vigilantes, providing logistics, donation to the security trust fund and those helping in their own little ways to make sure we have a safer homeland. There is still work to be done, there are still challenges and all hands must continue to be on deck."
While giving deserving commendations, Soludo said: "I want to commend all the armed forces who put their lives on the line to have our people sleep with their two eyes closed. All those who have paid the supreme sacrifice just to keep Anambra safe, several of them died needlessly I must say. May their souls rest in peace. These criminals want the security officers out of the road but, fortunately, we thank God that they have remained resolute. We will continue to provide all the support that we can to all the security forces as government and as a people of Anambra. What they are doing, the sacrifices that they make, their commitments and FOBs, we will continue to strengthen them and make them even stronger to keep our people safe and secured. In normal circumstances, these road blocks wouldn't have been needed but this is what we brought up on ourselves by our people taking up arms in the bushes, involved in criminality so to speak. Since they have decided to operate in an abnormal way, we now need abnormal solution. We are not always the most confident but the most effective in this circumstance and until the insecurity situation comes down to near zero, we will continue to have the road blocks and FOBs in place."
Mr. Governor had these noble words for the people: "I want to thank every ndi Anambra who have been involved. Everyone has a role to play in the road ahead. The youths must rise and take their destinies into their hands because their future is on the line, the future of their children and grandchildren. It is your future we are keeping awake everyday to secure." Governor Soludo concluded with advice for the criminals thus: "I want to use this medium again to appeal to those in the bush and forest, the criminals out there, the kidnappers to come out. We are offering them the opportunity to retrain them and help them start a new productive life. The course you have taken by being in the bush is one that leads to nowhere. It is not going to take you to anywhere. Criminality cannot pay you in the long term".
*Sir Paul Nwosu*
Information Commissioner
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