By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, on Monday charged the people of the state to take it back from criminals. He gave the charge while receiving a delegation of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), Anambra Chapter, which paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

CP Orutugu urged journalists to join the crusade of cleaning Anambra State of crime pollution, saying that the citizens are tired.

He wondered why people should remain indoors on Mondays in the name of sit-at-home, saying: ?What are you sitting at home to do?

?Anambra people are business oriented and on Monday, a big market like Onitsha main market known all over Africa is shut down while traders remain indoors. It has even gotten to the point that people celebrate it like weekend. It?s absolutely not right and must be stopped.

?Responding to question of strategy, the CP said that he has none and is neither proactive, but simply acts on impulse.

While regretting that the majority of criminals championing criminality in the state are non-indigenes of Anambra, he wondered why they cannot be stopped from perpetuating the crimes by the Ndi Anambra.

Orutugu added: ?When I received signal that I have been posted to Anambra State as Commissioner of Police, I immediately started thinking of ways to tackle the security issues in the state. The criminals are human beings, friends, brothers, boyfriends, fathers, neighbours, etc. My predecessors have done their bit and left. I will also do my bit and leave. Ndi Anambra as they are fondly called need to also rise up in unison to say no to criminality because people are tired.

?Journalists also have a role to play. It will gladden my heart to see you Journalists carrying placards in protest criminality in the state.?

On the issue of sports, the Police Commissioner applauded the idea of partnership with SWAN to promote social cohesion and improve community between the law enforcement and the community.

He said that the cohesion will create a positive and engaging environment for the public, noting that leveraging the power of sports, the police is hopeful of building bridges with the community and foster a sense of trust and cooperation.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of SWAN Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Chimezie Ananso, expressed his appreciation for the partnership and pledged SWAN?s support in actualizing the goals of the initiative.

He said that following the CP?s advice, SWAN will review proposals to select participants and also determine the theme of the competition.