By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has reiterated the determined efforts of the various security agencies in the state to stamp out kidnapping and violent crimes across Anambra State, especially during the Easter season and beyond, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu.
CP Orutugu stated this on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Amawbia Flyover axis in Awka, while launching a new security operation christened Operation Udo Ga-Achแป Zero Kidnapping and Other Violent Crimes in the State, which is a special tactical operation aimed at ensuring zero tolerance to insecurity in the state.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the initiative is a complementary offshoot of the broader Operation Udo Ga-Achแป (Agแปฅnechemba) launched in the state on January 18, 2025 by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, which has has generally battled insecurity in Anambra State. The new operation, however, seeks to build on its foundation by specifically zeroing in on kidnapping, armed robbery, and other heinous crimes that have previously posed a threat to the peace-loving people of the state.
The official launch of the operation attracted a wide array of security stakeholders in Anambra State, as well as the heads and officers of the various security agencies in the state, including the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army (302 Artillery Regiment), Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Correctional Service, Anambra State Vigilante Group, among others.
Speaking during the launch, CP Orutugu described the initiative as a renewed commitment by security forces to reclaim public spaces from the grip of criminals and restore citizensโ confidence in law enforcement. He affirmed that the operation would involve daily briefings, re-strategizing, joint security patrols, intelligence-led stop-and-search, and massive raids on known criminal hideouts, while also urging Ndแป Anambra to cooperate with the operatives, for maximum results.
According to the CP, the new operation is a deliberate, strategic, and intelligence-driven effort designed to effectively combat criminality and secure the lives and property of Ndi Anambra and residents of the state, especially during the festive period and beyond. He emphasized that the launch followed a rigorous review and evaluation of the existing policing capabilities, after which it became imperative to reinforce the security structure through this proactive template.
โThe Police, as the lead agency in internal security, are not resting on their oars. This operation is not only about presence; it is about impact, deterrence, and real-time response. We want to ensure that there is zero kidnapping and zero robbery in Anambra, especially during this Easter and going forward. Ndแป Anambra ara hardworking people who also love to relax and enjoy their wealth. We must not allow the criminal elements to rob them of their peace and joy,โ the CP declared.
He further noted that Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and heads of other security formations have been instructed to identify and dismantle all criminal flashpoints within their jurisdictions. According to him, the operation will be closely monitored with Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) deployed to strategic locations, all on high alert for any untoward activities.
Revealing communication lines through which residents can report suspicious activities, the CP emphasized community collaboration as a major weapon against criminality. Hotlines for various security agencies were also made available to the public.
โWe urge all residents to cooperate with us. Security is everyoneโs business. We also have dedicated hotlines where you can report any suspicious activity at anytime from any part of the State. The numbers are: Police โ 07039194332; NDLEA โ 09136832679; NSCDC โ 08066769442; FRSC โ 122. Other contact lines, including those of the Anambra Vigilante Group, will also be publicized as operations commence,โ he assured.
The Police Commissioner, flanked by other security heads and senior officers, expressed deep appreciation to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and good-spirited individuals who contributed to the refurbishment of security vehicles and operational facilities. He reaffirmed the readiness of all operatives to act with professionalism and civility while discharging their duties.
Earlier in a goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Soludo on Security and Anti-Cultism, Hon. Kingsley Ezika, lauded the Police and other security agencies for their commitment to protecting lives and property. He emphasized the importance of unity, both within security agencies and among the populace, in achieving long-term safety.
Hon. Ezika, while reiterating the governmentโs support, called for full implementation of the anti-cultism law, especially the provision prohibiting illegal gatherings. He also appealed to Ndi Anambra in the diaspora to periodically return home, not just to enjoy the serenity, but to also motivate, celebrate, and engage with security operatives in the state and understand how they can support the system.
โThese men and women left their own states to stake their lives here in Anambra for the sake of humanity. Letโs give them the maximum support they deserve,โ he said.
On his part, the President of Anambra Restaurant and Bar Owners Association (ARBOA), Hon. Tokas Ohazulike, commended the security chiefs for their proactive measures. He revealed that criminals often converge at restaurants and bars to plan their activities and therefore suggested the establishment of a dedicated emergency number for hospitality operators to report such suspicious gatherings.
He further appealed to the state government to provide more operational vehicles for security operatives, adding that this kind of initiative and support should not be limited to festive periods but be sustained.
Similarly, the President of the Ultimate Business Women and Farmers Association of Nigeria (UBWFAN), Mrs. Nkiruka Nwagbo, pledged the associationโs supportโboth spiritual and otherwise โto the new operation. She raised concerns about the vulnerability of women, especially farmers who are often raped by criminal herdsmen during the farming season, and expressed optimism that the new operation will help in great ways to limit such threats as farming season approaches.
Also speaking, the President of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Anambra State, Surveyor Okonkwo Okechukwu Cosmas, praised the initiative and Governor Soludoโs commitment to security. He, however, appealed for more technological enhancements such as the installation of CCTV cameras across the state, geographical crime mapping, and the establishment of a state security control room.
Among others, the official launch of the operation by CP Orutugu, followed by tactical display and drills by operatives from the various security agencies, showcasing readiness, synergy, and strength, formed the high points of the event.
