The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Anambra State Branch has commended Governor Willie Obiano for his commitment to security issues which they said has reduced the vice of Kidnapping in the state.

The civil society organisation in a statement jointly signed by its State Chairman, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, Secretary, Chidi Mbah, and Publicity Secretary, Nicholas Amoke, also wants the State Governor to urgently review the activities of the state special security outfit codenamed “Operation Nkpochapu” for effective service delivery.

The Press Release on the prevailing security and social situations in Anambra State (Onitsha a case study) was titled: “A call for the review of activities of the state special security outfit, “Operation Nkpochapu” and other sundry social ills”.

The CLO noted that after its thorough and holistic appraisal of the economic and social situations in Anambra State there was resurgence of criminality within the past six months in the state most especially within Onitsha and environs.

They listed notable flash points observed within the period under review to include Ezeiweka Road, Obosi Road, Oraifite Street, MCC Junction, Mgbemena Street, Nwaziki Street, Tarzan Junction by Owerri Road; Port Harcourt Road, Uga Junction, Ziks Avenue, Ozomagala Street, Upper Iweka with offshoot at Lagos Park and Abuja Park, Ugwunabankpa Road, Awka Road, Old Market Road, Modebe Avenue etc.

The organisation expressed fears that if urgent and drastic actions are not taken, the serene, conducive and congenial environment already created in the state would be eroded by the activities of some misguided elements.

“We commend the Governor for reducing kidnapping to the barest minimum in the state. In fact, he deserved all the avalanche of awards coming his way in this regard but we call for a holistic review of Operation Nkpochapu. The personnel should be overhauled for effectiveness and efficiency. There should be renewed motivation and reinvigoration to officers of the Security outfit.”

CLO also noted that within the period under review, the activities of the state revenue collectors are becoming nightmarish to road users and called for special monitoring of their activities and also giving them codified uniform with code of conduct for easy identification.

They also called for the extension of street lights in from Borromeo Roundabout to Upper Iweka and other major streets in Onitsha.

CLO said: “It is simply pathetic and disgusting seeing the level of gangsterism and hooliganism going on in the name of collecting revenues for government. The city of Onitsha is simply under siege in the hands of these revenue collectors. Oftentimes they go as far as beating and dispossessing of their victims of valuable property – especially money and goods. One worrisome aspect is that, if one approaches them to exhibit civility and tranquility in their approach, they become boisterous and aggressive with statements like, “Don’t you know Governor’s office”, “We are on contract, so don’t tell us how we will recover our money” etc.

“Another aspect, which has made their activities a dent to the state, is the infiltration of the revenue agents by street urchins, charlatans, and criminals. Virtually every idle and energetic young man in Onitsha is now a revenue collector.

“In view of this, we call for a special uniform for all revenue collectors in Anambra State. In addition to this, they should be tagged with special identification numbers boldly inscribed on their uniforms for easy identification. The government should equally expose them to periodic training to make them knowledgeable on ideal social and civil interaction.

“Lastly, we call on the governor to ensure that the ongoing state government street light project is extended to major roads in Onitsha. We believe strongly that street lighting will form one of the security measures in a densely populated and cosmopolitan city like Onitsha.

“The one that requires urgent attention is the linking or connecting of the street lights from Borromeo Roundabout to Upper Iweka with little clusters within MCC Junction because of heavy traffic and pedestrian movements. This is to ensure uniformity. Other notable major roads that require street light within the city are: Port Harcourt Road, Ziks Avenue, Ozomagala, Ugwunubankpa, Ezeiweka Road, Oraifite Street, Mgbemena Street, Nwaziki, Obosi Road, New and Old Market Roads, Iweka Road, Modebe Street, etc.

“This will help to curb the evil activities of these marauders, especially in the night. That of MCC Junction is more worrisome because of the non-completion of the pedestrian crossing at that busy junction. We want Your Excellency to compel the contractors to return to site and complete the project and the one at Lagos Park within the shortest possible time. We also suggest a special police post to stem the tide of criminality at MCC Junction. There is also an urgent need for the construction of another Pedestrian Crossing at TRACAS Bus Stop within Eastern Academy Secondary School Onitsha.

“We believe in the aphorism, which says that, “a stitch in time saves nine.” Hence we call on the governor to expedite action on the issues mentioned above. They are matters of urgent importance in the state. There should be an affirmative action to ensure that the glory of the state is not eroded.”