Date Published: 12/13/09

Editor Sir,

Anambra, Security details and Siren 'Madness'

Anambra is described as “Home for All”; and home for all it is indeed. That is why you notice all manner of crimes – both the ones imported from other places and the ones manufactured within the State.

You need to take a journey to Anambra and you would discover the kind of lawlessness that exists in the State. A State that has Onitsha, a town once known as the economic-trading centre of Nigerian; it is now a shadow of itself. Its commercial activities are gradually shifting to the neighbouring Delta State capital (Asaba). Burial ceremonies now seem to be one of the main-stay ‘industries’ in Anambra towns. At least that is one such event a hungry person attends in order to have a good meal and drink.

A madness which has now taken another serious dimension in Anambra cities is the elites’ penchant for abuse of privileges. At the inception of Onovo assuming office as the Inspector General of Police, he announced category of persons who are entitled to police details. He then announced a time limit within which to withdraw the ‘illegally’ deployed Police details. This earned him a loud and long ovation.  In Anambra, the Onovo has done virtually nothing that is in accordance with his pronouncements; such Police details illegally assigned has been in the increase. In Anambra, ‘madness’ is right in describing how this illegality thrives with the connivance of the State Police Command. Almost all the political party gubernatorial candidates and some other politicians do have huge number of Police details still attached to them; and mostly go about with deafeningly siren hoots to the discomfort of the citizens. People are run out of the roads most times by long convoys that go with siren and tens of Police escorts; and in the process of scampering, accidents occur and nobody cares.

IG of Police should be sincere in his dealing with matters of this nature otherwise he could end up worse than his predecessors.

Ike Ohia

Road 8, Festac Town

Lagos State - ikeohia@yahoo.com