By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo floated a new security squad to argument his administration’s fight against touts and touting in the state.
The new group, known as Anambra Special Anti-Touting Squad was launched on Monday in Onitsha with the primary mandate of making Anambra State tout-free.
Governor Soludo, while speaking at the event, declared a full-blown war against touts in Anambra State, adding that the launching of the new squad is part his administration’s efforts to end the menace of touting in Anambra.
While congratulating members of the squad who have not only offered to serve, but have also been found worthy, he urged them to serve with commitment, passion, and diligence. He also advised them to adhere to laid down standards and the code of conduct guiding their operation.
According to Governor Soludo, members of the anti-touting squad shall collaborate with the Nigerian Armed Forces who have the primary responsibility to keep the State safe.
He also emphasized that the launch of the squad is an acceleration on the key promise he made to Ndị Anambra, to restore law and order back to its full glory in the State as the Light of the Nation.
He recalled that eight local government areas were taken over by hoodlums, but however said those local government areas have been liberated through the joint efforts of the security agencies and the vigilante service, with the support of those local government areas.
He said: “We have told the youths to come out from their hideouts and the bush. We shall help to rehabilitate and integrate them into society to be useful to their families, communities, states, and nations.
“While dealing with hoodlums on a larger scale, we will be dealing with touts in Onitsha greater area and Anambra State as a whole.
“We are fighting a war to bring back the soul of our society governed by law and order, not a society anyone does what he or she likes arbitrarily without recourse to law and order
“Touts disturb customers who come from every nook and cranny of the country. But this journey is to rescue Onitsha as a commercial hub and Anambra State in general.”
The Governor also said that phone numbers shall be made available to ndi Anambra to inform the government of any touting activities they notice in the area.
He further warned all market leaders, and reiterated that any market where touts are still operating shall be disbanded while the Chairman of the market shall be removed from office.
I his opening remarks at the event, the State’s Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chief Chikodiri Anara, who described the launch of the Special Anti-Touting Squad as the start of the journey, also said that the men of the squad were well trained.
According to him, by December this year, positive changes will be noticed as a result of the operation of the squad.
Some other top government functionaries were also present at the event, including the State’s Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Aghamba; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, AVM Ben Chiobi, among others.
