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Insecurity in S’East:
IG bans use of vehicles with tinted glass
•Approves roadblocks
From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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Mike
Okiro, IGP
Photo: The Sun Publishing |
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As part of measures to tackle the current disturbing insecurity
in the South East geo-political zone, the Inspector General of Police,
Mr Mike Okiro, has given a blanket ban on the use of vehicles with
tinted glass in the zone.
The police chief also approved massive road blocks and extensive
stop and search in all the states in South East.
Okiro, who made these pronouncements at Awka, Anambra State while
taking delivery of two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and 21
Ford patrol vans donated by the Anambra State government to the
Nigerian Police, urged the people to bear with the police.
Violent crimes, especially kidnapping and armed robbery have assumed
a disturbing level for some time now in the South East states leading
to the loss of lives and property both of the civilians and the
police.
But Okiro observed on Wednesday that with the Anambra State government’s
donation, “the government and the good people of Anambra State
in collaboration with the Nigerian Police is today officially sending
a strong warning signal to criminals and other miscreants in the
state to pack their luggage and relocate out of Anambra State and
its environs, as the state from this moment will no longer be conducive
for their unwholesome activities. Any attempt for these hoodlums
to ignore this sincere advice would be met with dire consequences.”
He recalled that in November 2007, the state government donated
to the police, 45 operational vehicles, which had helped the force
tremendously in crime prevention and control, adding that yesterday’s
additional vehicles would boost police anti-crime campaign and operational
capability.
Recalling some serious incidents that took place, the IG said: “I
must observe here that in recent time, Anambra State is gradually
degenerating into a theatre of absurd where high profile criminal
activities like kidnapping, violent robbery operations and all manner
of criminality have become the order of the day.
“I want to state that this madness is enough. Enough is enough.
We cannot wait any longer while Anambra State is being taken over
by hoodlums. The Nigerian Police Force is ready to defend innocent
and all law-abiding citizens in this state with out last drop of
blood.
“I am not here today to tell you what measures I have discussed
with my zonal AIG and state commissioners, but I want to assure
you that in few weeks from now, Anambra State and the entire South
eastern states would be hot and too risky for any criminal to operate.”
Earlier, Governor Obi reiterated his government’s determination
to ensure the safety and comfort of its citizens, disclosing that
the two APCs were purchased at the cost of N150 million.
He noted that the 21 local governments made the donation of the
21 operational vehicles.
Obi said in furtherance to the government’s security consciousness,
it has signed into law commercial and private motorcycle law 2009,
which makes it mandatory for any motorcycle plying Anambra State
whether commercial or private to be registered with the licensing
authority on the payment of a prescribed fee.
The law also forbids the use of motorcycles with engine capacity
above 100 cubic centimeters or more than four speed gears from operating
in the state.
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