Following the recent attacks on security agents in Anambra state, leading to the death of over 10 personnel, the State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has ordered a clampdown on abductors and cultists in the state.
Chief Obiano in a statewide broadcast on the security situation in the state on Sunday, condoled with the families of police, Navy, Correctional officers and others who lost their loved ones during the attacks.
According to him, “Within the past week or so, we have witnessed what obviously is a planned and targeted attack on security personnel and facilities in the State by armed hoodlums.
“So far, Police Officers and Navy personnel on official duties at strategic checkpoints in various locations in the State were sporadically attacked, killed and their firearms taken away. Also, prison and police personnel conveying an inmate to court were equally attacked and killed.
“This morning, a Police outpost was attacked unsuccessfully as joint Police,vigilante and Community efforts repelled the attackers.
“Anambra State Government categorically condemns these attacks on our security personnel and is doing everything possible to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice”, he warned.
While condemning the killing and subsequent beheading of an alleged cultist in a horrifying video, he described the action of Ndi Anambra as despicable and a terrible act.
Obiano who disclosed that three principal suspects in connection with the killing have been arrested by the police, he warned that his administration would no longer tolerate any form of violence in the name of cultism or kidnapping.
“Ndi Anambra, also saturating the media waves is a horryifying video of the killing and beheading of an alleged cultist by members of a viral cult group. This is most despicable and a terrible act.
“I wish to inform Anambra citizens and residents in the State that the Police has arrested three principal suspects and on the heels of their accomplices. They shall all face the full wrath of the law.
“I have ordered a clampdown on all cultists and their activities. This state shall no longer tolerate the violence that erupts now and then in the name of cultism. Those who try our will in this regard will have themselves to blame! I urge all youths in the State to shun cultism and embrace meaningful lifestyles.
“In the same vein, all kinds of touting in the State in whatever guise especially in Onitsha will no longer be tolerated. Security agencies are hereby directed to arrest anybody hanging on the road with sticks and molesting innocent citizens, drivers etc. The madness must stop.
“I must also inform the public of the recent kidnap of the President General of Omor Community in Ayamelum local govt area and his murder by the kidnappers.
“My heart goes out to the family of the late PG and the Omor community in general. When the incident occurred, Government in collaboration with the Police and the community youths made sustained efforts to rescue him alive. Unfortunately, his abductors killed him in the forest and fled” revealing that it took efforts by the police to recover his body after an extensive search exercise.
While assuring all Omor people that the government and security agencies are doing everything to apprehend the kidnappers with a few arrests made already, he noted that massive security deployment would also be strategically made along the Ayamelum axis to stop further incursions by criminals just as he urged them to remain calm as the government and security agents are handling the situation.
Meanwhile, the governor has also read riot acts to politicians, Very Important Personalities (VIPs) and others who go about with tinted glasses and covered number plates.
Said he: “Fitted Tinted glasses on vehicles as well as covered plate numbers will no longer be allowed on all roads within the State. Security agencies will be conducting special and strategic operations aimed at neutralising the emerging threats to our collective safety”, he added.
