By Okey Maduforo Awka.
The plot to disarm the Agunechemba Security Squad in Anambra state was this Friday made bold when the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Alliance, AA Sir Paul Chukwuma and his running mate Chief Uzu Ukagbue led a protest match through the Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue Awka against the assault on the corp member of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC.
The protest which brought Awka Capital City to a stand still had over 500 youths who displayed their unhappiness over the incident.
According to Sir Paul Chukwuma the action of the Agunechemba Security Squad is a show of brigandage and disrespect to the right of Nigerian citizens as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria adding that the level of insecurity in the state leaves much to be desired.
The protesters who ended up at the Anambra Police Command was addressed by the Deputy Police Commissioner Ibrahim Ezikel who on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu addressed them promising to look into their demands.
Speaking during the protest Sir Paul Chukwuma state ed that ;
“The police have told us that suspect were actually arrested and their in custody and investigation is going on.
“They also promised us that they will make their findings public. We also raise the issue of local police bearing prohibited arms .
The police have assured and we must give the benefit of doubt to do their investigation. One about these is that most we raise are already before them .they already known to them. The level of criminality by perpetuated by this organization is appalling.
“We want the police to come public with their findings,it is not about Paul Chukwuma,it is about Anambra people and Nigerians at a whole.
“The corps member in Anambra are from different parts of the country and Nigerians are watching to see whether there are credible people in Anambra State who will rise up and doesn’t against this ill. That is what we are doing today”
“Besides it is the business of the governor to watch out what he puy in place,he is the one that gives fait and this inputs these guys that these boys are causing havoc in Anambra State”
“We are also as Anambra insisting that the security agency in the state to do their jobs they need funds, resource,they need gadgets but the state government has refused to make this fund available to them.
I am very much aware that the president of this country has done all within his power to make funds available to all states. Under the president enough money have becoming to Anambra to fund the home Land”
“What is our government doing with those money. Ndi Anambra have been worried”
“We are cannot as ndi Anambra to keep quiet and that is what we are doing today”
“Let us a safe home Land , we don’t want where parents will stopping their children being posted to Anambra State”
According to the Deputy Police Commissioner Ibrahim Ezikel ;
.
“On behalf of commissioner of Police we thank much in the way you have conducted yourselves in orderly manner”
“We have heard your grievance ,it is true that Agunechemba has its duty as security outfit establish to assist police in the community policing”
“About their excess the command is not sitting down.
The commissioner of Police had volunteered to train and teach them how to police Anambra to be civil and cautious to the public and to respect the life of the citizens”
“On the corps member that was molested the police have not just sat down on it ,the suspects have been handed over to the police,they are under investigation at the state CID and the outcome will be in the public”
We the police are sitting at the background we have occupied our space”
He however stated that;
“We need the vigilante to work with us and by the special grace of God they will work with us”he said.
Also speaking the Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga said that;
“The Command further reiterates that the establishment of security outfits operating within Anambra State was borne out of the collective will and consensus of Ndi Anambra, with the sole aim of strengthening community safety, enhancing rapid response, and sustaining peace and security across the State”
“The Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, promoting lawful engagement, and working closely with all stakeholders to sustain peace and security in Anambra State” he said.
