The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu has advised the people of the state not to spark the fire they cannot quench.
The CP was addressing concerns raised about the state of security in the state and events that preceded the recent ugly reality the state went through, at a Security Townhall organized by News Central TV.
Orutugu said, “My statement is this – do not start what you cannot control. You see now, it has started and we cannot control it. What we do now is complain”.
“I say it again, at any point in your life, whether family, whether society, do not start what you cannot finish,” he urged the citizens.
The CP commended the Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his robust investment in security, which he noticed was yielding positive results.
He however called the community support and cooperation without which security apparatuses will fail.
“I come to Anambra to work and solve security issues. But I need the Anambra people to support me and support the police.
“Your governor is doing so well, not about construction of roads, provision of basic amenities but the support for the security apparatus.
“If I hear now that an individual, community, or organization is launching an ambulance for the service of Nigerian police, I will be happy”.
“But we don’t see that. All we see is – police is not doing this. Police is not doing that.
“We need everyone to support us, not just to complain. Let us move from complaints to the healing process. Let’s heal by listening to each other and by communicating.
“Not speaking harsh words or by being anti-system. If we continue to attack the system, the system will turn back to attack us,” he advised.
Officers paying supreme sacrifices
Responding to complaints against police performance, Orutugu lamented that the pitiable conditions of the personnel hamper efficiency.
“Police move about in rickety vehicles and you expect the police to perform. Go to the police hospital. Go to the police headquarters, same thing.
“Go and see an average police man on the road – haggard looking, hungry, standing in the sun and we expect the best from him.
“So while we cast aspersions, let us also evaluate ourselves,” he counseled.
Officers paying supreme sacrifices
Orutugu lamented that the police have demonstrated commitment to keep the state safe even at the cost of their lives.
“Policemen are dying. Policemen are being shot and killed in the performance of their duties. Recently we lost some.
“We are exposed to the people you people are praising. And if you check the crime statistics in Anambra now, the people who are killing more are not policemen.
“The people who have anyhow access to gun in the name of protecting the communities.
“They are not trained. They are not properly profiled. They are just there. They harass themselves.
Do not keep silent – News Central MD
Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief – News Central Television, Kayode Akintemi, in his remarks charged Nigerians to speak up against issues that hamper national development.
“Everywhere we have been, from Lagos to the United States, to Canada, we shared to all Nigerians this one message – Nigeria will only get better if every single one of us will choose to not be silent on our problems.
“You will achieve nothing by being silent. Our nation is in turmoil at the moment. There are problems everywhere.
“So, to find a solution, we have a major issue and challenge to do with our security in the nation.
“When they are put in a position of power and authority to govern over us, we have to speak to them.
“If they are deaf, we shout loud enough to find the people that know how to speak to them or we have to speak first.
“As long as we choose to not be silent, we are sure that even the deaf at some point will hear us,” he concluded.
The event featured many citizens who shared their personally and communal tales of woes about how insecurity had impacted them and their communities.
They were however unanimous in their submission that the situation is improving following the launch of new security outfit, Agunechemba.
They however appealed to the government to train the operatives of Operation Udogachi to prevent preventable killings as witnessed recently.
