Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Monday, at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, inaugurated anti touting squad to fight crimes and criminality in the State.
Inaugurating the squad, the Governor said the State must be restored to its lost glory adding that the squad would work with other security operatives that include, the military, police, vigilante, among others.
His words, “Today is a very special day, to commission the anti touting squad, we want to restore the state from these criminals. About eight local Government Areas were taken over by the touts when we assumed office but we have liberated them from the touts.
“I have advised the youths to come out from bushes, only animals live in the bushes, human beings don’t live in the bushes. The days of these touts are numbered.
“It is unfortunate that touts and criminals will not allow people to do shopping in Onitsha. We have come to rescue Onitsha and the entire State from touts. If you have or know anybody that is not doing anything call us. Market leaders use these touts to harass and extort Innocent people,” he revealed.
Vowing to reward hard working market leaders, the Governor reiterated that by March next year the tenure of all market leaders, including that of the President General, PG, of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, would expire and those who performed excellently well their tenure would be renewed.
He warned further that market leaders who allow touts to operate in their markets would be sacked and new executive appointed to pilot the affairs of the markets.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Hon
Chikodi Anara, lamented that Onitsha and its environs have been subjected to torture which prompted the Governor to take this bold step of inaugurating the squad to flush them out.
“You know me that I don’t tolerate crimes and whoever that is caught should regret it because the Governor has come to better the welfare of the people. We will deal with the criminals unless they leave the State, he vowed
Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Hon. Air Vice Marshall Ben Chiobi (rtd), expressed optimism that the fight against touting would be fought to submission.
He advised the members of the squad to live up to the expectation of the people adding that the governor has come to sanitize Onitsha and the entire State.
