Anambra State Police Command has arrested 200 suspects and recovered over 33 different brands of arms which include AK-47, pump action guns, locally made pistols among others.
The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, stated this during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters yesterday in Awka, adding that over 1,644 ammunition of various types and
27 stolen vehicles were recovered.
Itam said these arrests and recoveries were made within 60 days through the ongoing significant innovation in the command aimed at operational proficiency and acquiring more skills in crime prevention strategies.
He said, “Today is exactly the 60th day I resumed this national assignment to serve Ndi Anambra and our dear nation. I am very delighted to address you today and to provide members of the public on the command’s activities and achievements in our fight against crime and criminality.
“On assumption of office with my strategic officers, we reviewed and evaluated policing capabilities and threats within the state’s critical assets and embarked upon painstaking intelligence gathering through robust synergy with core sister security agencies, organised vigilante groups and other stakeholders.
“Efforts at reducing crime and criminality are yielding positive results and we are changing the narrative. During 60 days of my arrival, over 200 suspects have been arrested for various crimes and we have secured five convictions with ongoing trials.
“We rescued unhurt, four kidnapped victims and recovered over 33 different brands of arms which include AK47, pump action guns, locally made pistols, and others. Over 1,644 ammunition of various types, 27 stolen, but recovered vehicles. Different brands of motorcycles and monies amongst other exhibits in ongoing investigations.
“Another significant innovation in the command is the ongoing training and retraining of officers and men to improve operational proficiency and acquire more skills in crime prevention strategies. We conducted a security summit with the informal security sector that had in attendance, vigilante groups, hunters and other security outfits in the state, to enhance an all-inclusive policing system.”
The commissioner commended the security-consciousness of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, adding that the governor, despite obvious challenges, worked towards repositioning and priming law enforcement as a way to restructure the security architecture in the state.
He added that the command is consulting and engaging relevant stakeholders like traditional rulers, market leaders, youth groups and civil society organisations, in its drive to fight all forms of criminalities.
According to him, the window of Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, and community policing principles is open for those desirous of taking advantage of such avenues to resolve specific problems and issues.
“These developments shall re-echo the campaign and stand against touting and cultism, especially the police on the advocacy programme; Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, a programme targeted to sensitise youths on the dangers of bad groups, drugs and other vices.
“Recently, there were three trending videos on social media intended to paint the police in Anambra in bad light. These videos include a demonstration at the Government House about cult-related deaths in Awka metropolis.
“Another is about an incident in Umueri in Otucha and a picture of dismissed policemen purportedly kidnappers in uniform. I advise journalists to clear with the Public Relations Department of the Command before uploading and commenting on content on social media about the police.
“For those who have been misled to take to crime, you are warned to retrace your steps as the command is poised to deal squarely with any act of criminality without regard for status. As far as we are concerned, there are no unknown gunmen in Anambra State. People who are terrorising innocent citizens must be made to account for their crimes,” he added.
