WRITTEN BY IFUNANYA AMAFILI
Moved by the rapid development of Anambra State, Senator Ben Murray Bruce (PDP, Bayelsa East) issued a statement in 2016, asking the Federal and other state governments to learn from Anambra. It was in the midst of recession. Even major oil-bearing states could not pay salaries and were going for bailouts from the Federal Government, while the Anambra State administration was launching a stimulus package for the poor and hiring workers and increasing their salaries.
Similarly, as the security situation in the country is deteriorating, it is germane to counsel the Federal and other state governments to turn attention to Anambra to see what can be learnt from the state, which was, only five years ago, one of the most security challenged states in Nigeria but has all of a sudden become the safest, the most peaceful and the most stable state in the country. For instance, there has been no bank robbery in Anambra in the last five years, even though it has the largest number of banks in Nigeria, after Lagos and Rivers States.
True, serious crimes do occur in Anambra, as even in such safe places as Sweden. But what arrests attention is the speed at which the perpetrators are caught. On April 16, a four-man gang murdered the President-General of Nimo Town Development Union. On hearing the news, Governor Willie Obiano, who was abroad, worked the phone throughout the night to nip the situation in the bud.
He announced a reward of five million naira to any person that would give information that would lead to the arrest of the culprits, assuring that the perpetrators would be arrested soon. True to his word, few days later, Akpokuedike announced the capture of the ring leader of Igboka’s murderers. Many in Anambra State who heard the news exclaimed in appreciation, “So soon’’? Few hours later, another key suspect of the crime was equally arrested.
Other two members of the Vikings who took part in the Nimo murder have been identified and would soon be caught, the way Ikechukwu Udensi, the most wanted criminal, who, last year, killed a businessman in Onitsha, Ndubuisi Nwokolo, for challenging him over his illegal revenue collection. Udensi ran to Lagos and Ogun states where he hid, but the moment he set his feet on Anambra soil, he was caught. The police have just arrested Udensi’s second in command.
Yesterday, the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mustapha Dandura, addressed the press where he announced a number of breakthroughs by his men. Davidson Obinna, kidnapped in Owerri, Imo State, while driving a red Lexus car and taken to an isolated building in Oba, Idemili South, was rescued a few hours after he was brought to Anambra.
The police have also arrested the killer of Pa Iloanusi, the 85-year old father of a Super Eagles player. Pa Iloanusi was killed in 2013 because his son was not as forthcoming with a huge ransom as his abductors expected. The ring leader was arrested but escaped from police detention in handcuffs, only to be rearrested now. Mr. Dandaura also disclosed the arrest of Ugochukwu Nweke and Chijioke Okeh in a criminal hideout in Oba two days after robbing Reverend Father Chukwunonso Anosike.
The police commissioner commended Governor Obiano for inspiring security agencies to achieve higher heights. Apart from providing over 200 well equipped vehicles to the police alone, Obiano gives them good allowances, which are paid on time. He ensures that security funds are used strictly for the purposes for which they are made.
In summary, a couple of things account for the extraordinary performance of security men in Anambra State. They include the passion for security which the governor exhibits, provision of logistic support, provision and prompt payment of reasonable allowances to security personnel. Others are recognition of the heroic accomplishment of officers, giving incentive to members of the public through monetary rewards and working in close collaboration with the communities which brings about trust in both the intelligence community and the government.
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