The former chairman of Police Service Commission(PSC) Chief Simon Okeke on Thursday advised security agencies in the South East to give utmost priority to security in the South East to help curb down on the incessant attacks on people of the South East.
Chief Okeke during an interactive session with journalists at his Akatar Lodge residence in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area, said that "without security, the South East will not be attractive to investors, as many businesses have relocated from the South East to other areas of Nigeria, where there funds are safe. He said, "as a matter of fact that many people especially the affluent ones are relocating out of the state with their investments because of the current wave of insecurity in South East in general.
“Anambra was one of the safest states in Nigeria, Gov Willie Obiano even got an award for being the best security conscious Goverment. Unfortunately, things are returning to the old ways. Last year several policemen got killed during the last election in Anambra, which got so many people worried which even made some not to come back home any longer. " We don’t even talk about robbery again which has assumed an all time high, but kidnap of people for ransom which is of course the offshoot of EndSARS protests.
“Unknown gunmen went on rampage during the Endsars protest and most of the police stations in the state were razed down. Its just now that efforts are being made to rebuild the burnt stations. Its a very bad situation. Policemen are even afraid to go back to their duty post now. The effect of spill over from Imo state is taking its toll on Anambra communities like Orsumoghu, Lilu, Azia, Ukpor, Ezinifite and so on. The situation is frightening.” He noted.
Chief Okeke however pointed out that he has discovered from his interactions with top echelon of security agencies that most of the conventional security organizations are in short supply of personnel.
“I have advised them to build huge blockade between Imo and Anambra. Economy of Anambra State is badly affected because of the collapse of security apparatus of the state. It has become imperative for the communities to rise up and defend their towns if the conventional security agencies are handicapped. Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has nothing to do with the evil going on at the moment, the perpetrators are common criminals and they should be treated so. Ebenebe incident is still fresh in our memory. Kidnapping, cultism, mkpurumili and all the evil going on in Anambra State has reduced the state to Armageddon.” The former police boss stressed.
The former PSC chairman however insisted that war against crime and criminality should be a collective responsibility noting that every community actually know the good and the bad ones in their midst and that each community would do well to expose the bad eggs and criminals in their environment for their own good.
Chief Okeke said emphatically that he endorse the former governor, Peter Obi’s approach of demolishing homes of kidnappers and their supporters, noting that death penalty for kidnappers is not out of place. “I expect Prof Soludo to invest in the local vigilante.”He said.
The former police boss who was one of distinguished personalities recognized and awarded by the outgoing governor, Chief Obiano at the newly commissioned International Conference Center, Awka on Wednesday urged the incoming governor to make it a point of duty to rehabilitate the existing roads and as well build new ones.
While commending Chief Willie Obiano for the legacy projects he built especially the airport, Chief Okeke said that posterity would be kind to the outgoing governor the projects, he however appealed passionately to Prof Soludo to ensure that the airport, International Conference Center and the Stadium are adequately maintained.