By Mariyah Adamu
Barely three months to the November governorship election in Anambra State, media practitioners under the aegis of League of Anambra Journalists in Abuja, LAJA, has condemned the continuous attack and killing in parts of the state.
LAJA, in a statement jointly signed by its Interim President, Ikenna Okonkwo and Secretary, Princess Ekwi Ajide, recently, described the current wave of insecurity despite the purported deployment of resources by the state government as “very deplorable and devastating”.
The statement noted the efforts by the authorities to stem the tide of insecurity and wondered why high-profile attacks and killings, alongside unreported cases, have remained on the increase.
“We are aware of efforts by the state government to curtail insecurity which rained supreme in the state in the last few years, but recent attacks and killing of individuals have been of great concern.
“Previously, Anambra was noted as a peaceful and secured state. The menace of hoodlums and other forms of miscreants became rampant. However, the intervention of Governor Chukwuma Soludo at some point offered hope.
“Not so long, the activities of these non-state actors have resurfaced, a situation that has again put residents at the edge. Only few weeks ago, the son of a ranking official of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, was taken away and killed around the state capital.
“While many were still trying to get over this, another killing was recorded in Nri in Anaocha Local Government Area, where an All Progressives Congress, APC, ward chairman was reportedly assassinated. The new dimension needs to be checked and eliminated with enhanced security strategy and implementation,” the statement said.
The journalists also enjoined the state government to ensure better training and equipping of its security operatives with modern tools and welfare packages to enable them carry out their functions effectively.
“Security in this age should be more of scientifically proven means, especially in the area of deploying technology (for communication and smooth operations) alongside ensuring robust community engagements.
“This will not only boost the security situation, but restore citizens confidence as the election gets closer,” the statement said.
While commending the dismissal of the security personnel who assaulted a corps member, the statement urged the state government to put proactive machinery in place to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The statement also enjoined politicians and the electorate to shun all forms of violence (verbal and physical) in the build-up to the upcoming election.
