Chukwuma urges re-evaluation of the psychic of Anambra community security operatives, as protest rocks Awka

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu 

The governorship candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP) for Anambra State November 8 poll, Sir Paul Chukwuma, on Friday, joined over hundred Anambra residents in protests over violation of human rights by Agunaechemba and Special Anambra Anti-Touting Squad (SASA).

The protesters under the auspeices of Make Anambra Great Again (MAGA) team, had at a peaceful walk from Okpuno to Awka up to Amawbia in Awka South LGA, demanded for disbandment of Agunaechemba, which recently stripped a corps member, Ms Jennifer Elohor nude followed with an assault at Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA).

They also lamented over the operation of SASA, which according to them, had in similar manner like Agunaechemba, engaged in illegalities including molestation, assault and extortion of the masses.

Addressing the protesters at the Police command headquarters, Amawbia, Sir Chukwuma urged urged the federal government intervention in the case of Elohor even as he insisted that the police should be allowed to safeguard the citizenry rather than the State security apparatus.

According to him, the Agunaechemba and SASA officers psychic should be revaluated as well as trained and retrained and made to work under the instructions of the police.

"We are calling on the police because we know that police is still the friend to all. We want you to please rise up to this responsibility and take over your duties so that we don't diminish Anambra state to a banana republic. We thank you all.

"Anambra, sadly, has descended, under this government, into fascism of sorts, as these operatives misuse the authority of government to intimidate and abuse innocent citizens. I feel the concerns of Anambra people that is why I join the alliance to lay our complaints to the Commissioner of Police.

"We want to be sure that the police is not abdicating their responsibility to criminal elements in Anambra State. Your coming here is also very strategic coming to this situation because we know you are a legitimate voice from the leaders of security. The local security should be prohibited from bearing dangerous arms like AK-47," he added.

Chukwuma added that "The state belongs to all of us. And we are not going to allow anybody no matter how highly placed to place him or herself above the law. We must be guided in everything we do by the rule of law. And we would like to give the police time they require to come back and inform the public their observations.

Addressing the protesters on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Ibrahim Ezekiel, who is in charge of operations, commended the protesters for conducting themselves

Ezekiel, who confirmed that those who molested the corps member were already in police custody while the CID had take over the investigation, assured that the law enforcement agents would never allow anyone to violate the rights of the citizenry.

He added that the police would continue engaging with relevant stakeholders and partners to  enhance community security and safety through monitoring and regulation of activities of local security.