The Association of Non-Indigenes Welfare, led by Chief Great Ikechukwu Ugwuoke, has condemned the Anambra State government?s alleged profiling of its members as being responsible for a majority of criminal activities in the state.

This reaction came in response to comments made by the state?s Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, during Ugwuoke?s visit.

Mefor had claimed that available data pointed to non-indigenes as the primary perpetrators of crime in the state. However, the association has refuted this claim, stating that it keeps a register of its members and that individuals who come into the state, commit crimes, and leave cannot be considered part of their community.

The association, which operates in all 21 local councils in the state, has coordinators overseeing local communities.

Ugwuoke argued that the ongoing profiling and labelling of non-indigenes as key contributors to crime was a legacy of previous administrations. He pointed out that many non-indigenes involved in criminal activities are either not residents or are not registered with the association.

Ugwuoke called for the inclusion of non-indigenous leadership in the process of enumeration and security identification to better differentiate between legitimate members and those unrelated to the community.

He also revealed that about 40 native doctors detained by the state government, and awaiting trial, are actually indigenes of the state.

He reaffirmed the association?s support for Governor Chukwuma Soludo?s administration, praising his exceptional performance.

Ugwuoke also announced that non-indigenes had nominated Soludo for the Best Governor Award in recognition of his achievements in governance, infrastructure, and security. (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)