The Association of South East Vigilant Group (ASEG) has lauded High Chief Kenneth Emekayi (Ike Okija) for his professionalism and expertise in steering the leadership of Anambra Vigilant Group otherwise known as Agunechemba since his assumption of office some months ago.
Gov Chukwuma Soludo had appointed High Chief Emekayi who hails from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of the State as his Special Adviser on Community Security in the State.
ASEG in a crowded press Conference in Enugu addressed by the Commander General of the group, Chief Emmanuel Ojukwu (CSP) rtd, thanked the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for this decision of appointing High Chief Emekayi to take charge of security in the State.
"It could be recalled that before the assumption of Emekayi , the State was taken over by criminals masquerading as unknown gunmen and all sorts of criminal elements.
Out of 21 Local Governments in the State, criminals took over 15 Local Governments, kidnapping, robbing, killing and maiming citizens and created serious insecurity and tension in the State" said the group .
But our findings, said Ojukwu, showed that these criminals have been routed out from their different operational camps, while many have been neutralised.
Communities and Local Governments, they said, like Umunze, Ogbunka in Orumba South, Ihiala Local Government Area, Ogbaru, Ekwusigo,Nnewi South, Aguata Local Governments among other communities and Local Governments were controlled by these hoodlums
But within few months of Emekayi's leadership, ASEG said, many of these Local Governments and communities have been reclaimed by Agunechemba .
"Umunze, Ogbunka in Orumba North and South Local Governments,Ihiala have been liberated almost 90 percent, while Aguata, Nnewi have been fully liberated" said Ojukwu.
He said Ogbe-Ukwu in Ogbaru Local Government Area has also been liberated. Ogbe-Ukwu was the Headquarters of kidnappers in Anambra State, It was Ogbe-Ukwu criminals who kidnapped and killed Hon Justice Azuka.
But now, said Ojukwu, Ogbe-Ukwu is now fully under the control of Agunechemba security forces.
ASEG however appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to continue to provide Agunechemba operatives with necessary logistics that will enable them succeed in this task
The group also pleaded with the governor to review the salary of officers from the present N100.000 to N200,000 to allow them face the current socio-economic challenges in the country.
They said the current salary could not sustain their operatives considering that most of them have families they cater for.