Anambra Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, has tasked residents to always inform police and other security agencies before any planned ceremonial activity to enable it provide security checks.
The Commissioner made the request against the backdrop of recent attacks witnessed during ceremonial activities in the state.
Echeng made the request in a press statement, signed by DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Public Relation Officer of the Command, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Sunday.
He assured that the command has improved its security service delivery and expressed the readiness of the command to contain any security situation when put on notice on time.
Echeng said that the two unfortunate incidents witnessed in the state recently happened because the police were not informed of the ceremonies before they began.
The commissioner said that the attacks took place at Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area (LGA), and Ndingbu village, Nnewi-North LGA, respectively.
He said while 15 persons were killed at the burial ceremony in Ebenebe on February 25, kidnappers abducted some persons from Ndingbu village on March 12, also at a burial ceremony.
“About 15 persons who attended the burial rites at Ebenebe lost their lives at late Mr Chibuike Ozor’s compound because no information was shared to security operatives,” he said.
He said, however, that the police have arrested some persons who are aiding the ongoing investigation and recovered a Toyota Camry used by the attackers.
Echeng also indicated that efforts are on to rescue the abducted victims from the Ndingbu village and arrest the perpetrators to bring them to book.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment towards consolidating on the gains in crime prevention, restoration of law and order and improving safety and security of lives in the state.
He assured that the Police, the military and other Security Agencies are firm on the ground to contain any security situation that may arise if informed on time.
He appealed to residents of the state to always inform the police and other security agencies of the venue, date and time of their events as it would enable Police access the area to make sure no security breach is experienced before during and after the activity. (NAN)
