Most security reports we receive from Anambra populace are malicious petitions over land, others- CP Orutugu

 

Most security reports we receive from Anambra populace are malicious petitions over land, others- CP Orutugu 

 

By  NKIRU NWAGBO 

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 to improve the security operations that can help the Police Command to better  understand the community needs and concerns.

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.

He decried the level of moral decay and called on parents/guardians to be better role models to their children/wards, by creating a deliberate relationship with them as it will help to assess and direct them properly.

The CP reiterated the need for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve issues bordering on disputes over Land, such as Kingship tussles, boundary issues, farmers/herders clashes among other related issues insisting  that some of these issues, if not properly addressed, degenerate into serious crimes and crisis. 

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.

The representative of institute for Peace and Conflicts Resolution (IPCR) Mrs Amaka Uzodinma, observed that the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol of 1998 that allows for the free movement of Transhumance animals among ECOWAS member states is a major reason herders have not been prosecuted in Nigeria for open grazing  while calling on the legislators to do the needful .

Contributing, a lecturer from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Dennis Aribodor, praised Anambra State governor,  Prof 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.

In attendance were Nigeria  Police Force ,NSCDC, FRSC, Traditional rulers, Vigilante groups, Civil society groups, pressmen, women groups, different Anambra State youth forums and other relevant Stakeholders.