Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Popular human rights activist and Coordinator Recover Nigeria Project (RNP), Comrade Osita Obi, has intensified calls to deploy more technology and other innovative strategies in the fight against insecurity in Anambra State.
During a chat with Journalists in Awka, Anambra State capital, Thursday, Comrade Obi noted that the current security challenges in Anambra needs a more proactive and innovative approach rather than measures consistently used to tackle crime in the state.
He also said security has become more complex and complicated such that modern technologies are required to combat the increase in sophisticated crimes, emphasising the need for a multi-faceted approach to effectively tackle the evolving security challenges.
“In Anambra, security has become a complex and complicated situation such that you don’t know the solution to apply. In Awka for instance, insecurity has revolved around cultism, dispute over land, business gone wrong, etc.
“Police is the first point of call on the issue of insecurity. Those that attacked Nibo community passed through many police checkpoints undetected yet with guns in their vehicle which is why we need to be worried about the competency of the police.
“I want to make it clear that the modern fight against insecurity has gone beyond carrying guns and vehicles around but reigns on surveillance, intelligence gathering and information. Except we apply this, we are not going anywhere.
“There should be surveillance cameras here and there so that when somebody is abducted anywhere, we would know the abductor and the abductee. That is how to go about it,” he said.
Obi emphasised that Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration in Anambra State has done exceedingly well in reviving the state’s fortune in the areas of infrastructure and development, calling on the governor’s critics to acknowledge the accomplishments and support Soludo’s ambition for the state.
He urged those aspiring to govern the state to instead contribute their resources to strengthening the state’s security architecture rather than pursuing fruitless ambitions.
“I’m using this opportunity to call those who want to contest against Soludo’s reelection not to do so but rather channel that their money into Anambra State security trust fund instead of wasting that money.
“Elections are contested and people say they step down for some persons. We cannot bring another person to come and dislodge him to start afresh again. We should be talking about other issues in Anambra State. It is the right of everyone to contest an election, but Soludo has done very well and should be told to go on,” he said.
Obi maintained his stance that popular Catholic priests in the state Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Ebube Muonso) must apologise to Governor Soludo for addressing him in an indecent manner over insecurity.
“I want to make it clear here that I’m not against Fr Ebube Muonso. He is free to share his frustration about the security situation in the state. My worry is that he didn’t do it within the boundaries of decency. That is why I reacted that he should apologise to the government.
“Soludo is the Governor of Anambra State. Therefore, If you malign him, you are maligning the entire Anambra State. I still stand by my statement that he should apologise.”
Comrade Obi added that he had previously stated he would storm his church in protest, but he is now apologising for that statement, as it was made out of anger.
