Okey Maduforo, Awka
Yet to officially assume office at the Anambra State Police Command, the newly appointed Commissioner, Livingstein Ikioye Orutugu, is already under pressure from residents following the escalating fight against insecurity in the state.
Recall that the current Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, was recently transferred out of the state by the Police Service Commission, with Orutugu announced as his replacement.
While the security operatives on the ground are deeply engaged in combating insecurity, Anambra still harbors over sixty camps of armed gunmen, which residents expect the new Police Commissioner to dismantle.
Adding to the pressure on the new Commissioner is the three-week display of strength by the Agunechemba Security Squad, which a cross-section of Anambra residents believes has taken over the conventional duties of the state’s security agencies.
According to the immediate past Vice President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene:
“We expect the new Police Commissioner to work in tandem with the Agunechemba Security Squad, as well as other sister security organizations, because the level of crime and criminality in Anambra State requires a kinetic approach, taking the bull by the horns.”
Ogene, however, emphasized the need for collaboration between the federal government and state security structures:
“The federal government should create better synergy between the Police and respective state governments to stop the blame game and buck-passing between Governors and Police Commissioners,” he noted.
President-General of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Barr. Titus Akpudo, urged the new Police Commissioner to assess the existing security framework and involve all officers and personnel in his strategy.
“Most times, when someone assumes office, the first thing they do is redeploy everyone and establish a new structure without first understanding the situation on the ground. That is the bane of governance and leadership; not just in the military or paramilitary but in other sectors as well,” Akpudo stated.
