Anambra State Police Commissioner, Hassan Karma, talks on the achievements of his officers and men in the last five months as well as the prospects of a crime-free yuletide period, in this interview with Special Correspondent, OKEY MADUFORO.
Crime fighting since assumption of office
You would agree with me that there is no crime-free society. But it is possible to reduce the crime rate in the society. The issue of armed robbery and kidnapping has reduced drastically due to the proactive actions we have so far taken in the Command. We took note of major flashpoints in the state, and it is against this backdrop that we have achieved great success in the area of crime-fighting.
I must not forget the fatherly role Governor Willie Obiano has been playing in assisting the Command. The governor sees security as the basis for sustainable development. When you have security, investors can come in and do business. Anambra State Government has been highly supportive to us and we shall continue to leverage on that. We also work with other security agencies because this is a collective effort aimed at stemming the rate of crime in the state.
It is also important to make public our recent achievements in the area of crime-fighting. In June this year, based on a tip-off to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), one Friday Umunna was arrested in connection with the kidnap of one Mrs. Patricia Ihedigbo at Umuaka village in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area. Also, Chinedu Nwankwo, Chukwuka Chinedu and Patrick Ifediorah were arrested.
These suspects specialised in armed robbery and snatching of vehicles within the state and environs. We recovered one Toyota Yaris with registration number GBB315AA and a revolver. The suspects have already confessed to the crime and are assisting in the arrest of their members.
About 1400 hours on July 14 this year, one Francis Okechukwu was arrested in connection with car snatching in Anambra and Delta states.
The Command recovered one Lexus Jeep RX330 with registration number AWK 849HM, one Toyota Sienna with the number THE133CQ and a Ford bus with registration number XT247BEN.
Also, a kidnap suspect, Ibeabuchukwu Anthony, was arrested at Nkwelle Awkuzu in connection with the kidnap of one Geo Chika Ilozumba, the Personal Assistant to former Commissioner for Works in Anambra.
We also recorded success in the area of vandalising of communication installations belonging to Umunachi Town in Idemili South Local Government Area. Items recovered included one L300 Mitsubishi bus, Two shaft chisels, one big cutter and one bar, and spanners. They also specialise in vandalising other network installations.
In August this year, the command also recorded success in crime-fighting. Through the assistance of Amawbia Central Vigilante, we arrested one Ifeanyi Nwankwo of Umuokpu-Awka, Chinedu Okonkwo from Nise Town and Onyebuchi Nwana of Enugu-Ukwu. We recovered one foreign made Berretta pistol, three rounds of 9mm live ammunition. One of them confessed to the case of armed robbery within Awka and environs. Investigation is ongoing.
Campus hooliganism and cultism
We are aware of cult activities in the universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education and we have been taking the matter head-long. One Chichi Ezenwankwo and four others were arrested while initiating a new member into Vikings Confraternity secret cult. One battle axe and a long machete were recovered from them. The suspects have been charged to court and remanded at Aguata Prisons. We also arrested cult members at Eke Nibo during a clash between the Vikings Confraternity and the Black Axe Confraternity. In Igbariam Town in Oyi Local Government Area, eight suspected cult members were arrested while initiating a new member into NICO Black Movement of Africa (Black Axe). In Obosi, Idemili North council area, the Command arrested two persons in the bush during their initiation into the Vikings Confraternity and others escaped. The suspects have been charged to court.
Similar arrests were carried out in Abagana Town in the council area, Amawbia Town in Awka South, Umunze Town in Orumba South, Obosi in Idemili North. We also made arrests in Atani, Ogbaru council area, Amansea and Azia in Ihiala Local Government Area. So you can agree with me that the Command is not sleeping at all.
Security measures for Christmas season
Festive seasons have always been challenging, but the Command has put in place measures aimed at ensuring a crime-free season. The presidents-general (PGs) of the 177 communities in Anambra, along with their respective traditional rulers, are working together. The vigilante groups are also doing their best as we have continued to interface with them. It doesn’t only stop at the Command working with the town union leaders. Individuals at the towns and neighbourhood should also be security-conscious and report suspected movements of persons within their area. It is easy to detect strangers in any given area because those living there know themselves and can always say who is who in their town.
I wish to reiterate that the Anambra Police Command has zero tolerance for criminality, this festive season and at all times. Those criminals should know that there is no safe haven for them in Anambra.