Most security reports we receive from Anambra populace are malicious petitions over land, others- police
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The Anambra State Police Commissioner, Dr Ikioye Orutugu, on Thursday, alleged that about 90% security information they receive from the populace were petitions bothering on land and chieftaincy matters.
Orutugu, who disclosed this at one day security town hall organised by the News Central TV in Awka, Anambra State Capital, described such reports as malicious information capable of aggravating the security challenges rather than addressing them.
“About 90 % of security information we receive from communities are malicious. They may claim to be on kidnapping, robbery or something else but when you investigate it you will discover that the petitions are usually centered on land and chieftaincy matters,” he stated.
He urged the populace to support the police in fighting crimes and criminalities by providing them with infrastructure and equipment, as well as in providing credible information without bias or emotions.
According to him, insecurity could equally be tackled head on from the bases by disengaging from unlawful activities, abuses and crisis, including engaging the children with good home training.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the event implored the State and federal government to find ways of checkmating activities of the military and paramilitary officers on the streets and highways, accusing them of causing untold hardships on the populace through road blocks and extortions.
Some of the speakers equally raised an alarm over impending hunger in the land owing to activities of the herders, who according to them, were destroying farmlands, killing and raping women, thereby scaring away farmers from bushes.
One of the speakers and Coordinator, Small Scale Women Farmers Organisations (SWOFON), Awka North Local Government (LGA) chapter, Mrs Favour Nworah, lamented that farmers in agrarian communities have abandoned their occupation and homes due to fear of herders attacks, thereby multiplying hunger in the hinterlands.
Contributing, a lecturer from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Dennis Aribodor, praised Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo for providing infrastructural development even as he enjoined him to address the stomach infrastructure, as well as checkmate the activities of Agunaechemba so as to prevent them from engaging in unprofessional conduct.
On his part, the Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Anambra East LGA, Igwe Ben Emeka urged the police and other law enforcers to expedite action towards prosecuting issues of herders and farmers attacks in line with relevant laws of the land.
Earlier, the Managing Director, News Central TV, Mr Kayode Akintemi, said the programme which has been held in several parts of the nation, was aimed at addressing insecurity by engaging and encouraging the citizenry to rise and support the government efforts through speaking up against evil and releasing vital information.
“We are not calling for reprisal attacks or taking of alms against anyone. We are only encouraging you to speak up. Arise and speak up. Do not be discouraged. When you see something, make sure you say it out. Support the security to safeguard your lives and property,” he added.
