Anambra State government has directed the one hundred and seventy nine Communities in the State to choose fifty Male and female indigenes from among themselves for special police training.


Governor Willie Obiano who gave the directive said that the move is in continuation of the Community Policing initiative of the Nigeria Police.


Government House Correspondent, Ejike Abana reports that the Governor made the call at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center, Awka, during a meeting with members of critical sectors in the State.


State Executive Council members, House of Assembly members led by the Speaker, Honourable Uchenna Okafor, and the Deputy Speaker, Dr Paschal Agbodike, the Security Chiefs, Traditional Rulers, the Clergy, Media Stakeholders, Anambra Traffic Management Agency, Anambra Vigilante Group, market leaders, opinion leaders, among others, attended the briefing.


Governor Obiano who said that every crime is local, said that every community own their security, pointed out that the Traditional rulers, Presidents General, Youth Leaders, women leaders, vigilante leaders, Divisional Police Officers and other critical stakeholders are part of the selection team, adding that they should meet twice a month to discuss security as it affects their communities.


The Governor explained that each community has one month to forward the names of the individuals who will be trained and appointed Special Constables with uniforms, but made it clear that the individuals must be people of impeccable character, calling on the stakeholders to join hands and combat open defecation, blockage of drainages, street trading, Lassa fever, coronavirus, tax invasion, warning that enforcement team will begin to go round the markets to monitor compliance.


He added that Ndi Anambra should mobilize themselves and be at their best in the upcoming police games in the State, and appreciated them for their support which his administration is enjoying.


The State Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang who extolled the security architecture existing in the State, said that it has boosted a robust collaboration among the agencies and added that Anambra’s proactive security arrangement is a model to be copied.


Earlier in his opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Creative Security, Retired Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi stressed that the primary responsibility of government is security, noting that a lot of new thinking on security is going on in the Country, as the meeting affords an opportunity to rob minds on the new thinking as well as the way forward.


Others who spoke including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Uchenna Okafor, Igwe Pius Omachonu of Olumbanasaa who spoke on behalf of the Traditional Rulers, Chief Alex Onukwue who spoke on behalf of the Presidents General, Archbishop Ephraim Ndife who spoke on behalf of Anambra State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Sir Norbert Obi who spoke on behalf of Political parties in the State, among others, commended the initiative, but asked that all hands must be on deck to ensure full implementation.