From Magnus Eze, Abuja, Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka and Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia
Ahead of the planned total shut down of the south eastern states tomorrow by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the gradual resurgence of crime in the zone, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Mr. Hosea Karma, has said the police would continue to maintain aerial surveillance of Anambra State.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said no amount of threat and intimidation by security agents canl stop Friday’s protest march and sit-at-home order.
The group had last week declared Friday as a day for protest march of its members across the South-East and parts of South-South zone.
The AIG urged the people to go about their normal businesses in disregard to the call by IPOB.
However, the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) holding in Awka Anambra State would today be cut short due to the sit-at-home order
But Karma has appealed to governors in the zone to invest on security, noting that it was the primary objective of government.
He commended Governor Willie Obiano for making security a top priority, leading to the provision of over 100 operational vehicles as well as other logistic support to the state command, disclosing that with the governor’s support, police helicopter has been on surveillance in the state, adding that this has improved security in the state. This has helped in the drastic reduction of crime.
The AIG further disclosed that he would soon meet with the governors to discuss a holistic security strategy for the zone including how to tackle the spate of kidnapping, armed robbery and ethnic agitation among other threats.
“That doesn’t mean that they are not doing anything, but they need to do more. As we speak, the Police helicopter has been on air surveillance of Anambra; sending strong signals to criminals,” the AIG stated.