By Okey Maduforo Awka
The plot to disarm the Agunechemba Security Squad in Anambra State was made bold on Friday when the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Sir Paul Chukwuma, and his running mate, Chief Uzu Ukagbue, led a protest march through the Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue Awka, against the assault on the corps member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The protest, which brought Awka, the Capital City, to a standstill, had over 500 youths who displayed their unhappiness over the incident. Sir Paul Chukwuma said that the action of the Agunechemba Security Squad “is a show of brigandage and disrespect to the right of Nigerian citizens as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” adding that the level of insecurity in the state leaves much to be desired.
The protesters who ended up at the Anambra Police Command were addressed by the Deputy Police Commissioner Ibrahim Ezikel, who, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu promised to look into their demands.
Speaking during the protest, Sir Chukwuma stated: “The police have told us that suspects were actually arrested and they’re in custody and an investigation is going on. They also promised us that they would make their findings public. We also raise the issue of local police bearing prohibited arms.
The police have assured us, and we must give them the benefit of the doubt to do their investigation. One thing about these is that we raised the issue already before them. They are already known to them. The level of criminality perpetuated by this organization is appalling.
“We want the police to come out publicly with their findings; it is not about Paul Chukwuma, it is about the Anambra people and Nigerians as a whole. The corps members in Anambra are from different parts of the country, and Nigerians are watching to see whether there are credible people in Anambra State who will rise and speak out against this ill. That is what we are doing today.
“Besides, it is the business of the governor to watch what these people he has empowered are doing. He is the one who put this thing in place; he needs to put them in check because these boys are causing havoc in Anambra State.
“We are also in Anambra, insisting that the security agency in the state do their jobs. They need funds, resources, and they need gadgets, but the state government has refused to make this funding available to them.
I am very much aware that the president of this country has done all within his power to make funds available to all states. Under the president, enough money has been released to Anambra State to fund the homeland. What is our government doing with that money? Ndi Anambra have been worried. We cannot, as ndi Anambra, to keep quiet, and that is what we are doing today. Let us have a safe homeland, we don’t want where parents will stop their children from being posted to Anambra State.”
According to the Deputy Police Commissioner Ibrahim Ezikel, “On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, we thank you very much for the way you have conducted yourselves in an orderly manner.
“We have heard your grievances. Agunechemba indeed has its duty as a security outfit established to assist the police in community policing. About their excesses, the command is not sitting down. The Commissioner of Police had volunteered to train and teach them how to police Anambra State to be civil and cautious to the public and to respect the lives of the citizens.
“On the corps member that was molested, the police have not just sat down on it, the suspects have been handed over to the police, they are under investigation at the state CID, and the outcome will be the public. We, the police, are not just sitting in the background; we have occupied our space.”
He, however, stated: “We need the vigilante to work with us, and by the special grace of God, they will work with us.”
Also speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said: “The Command further reiterates that the establishment of security outfits operating within Anambra State was borne out of the collective will and consensus of Ndi Anambra, with the sole aim of strengthening community safety, enhancing rapid response, and sustaining peace and security across the State.”
“The Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, promoting lawful engagement, and working closely with all stakeholders to sustain peace and security in Anambra State,” he said.
