A CALL FOR IMO STATE TO REINFORCE COMMUNITY POLICING .
The security situation in the southeastern region of Nigeria has seen significant developments recently, particularly in Anambra State. The state has become a beacon of hope in the fight against criminality, with the formation of a new security outfit called “Udo Ga Achi,” also known by its operational code name, Agunaechemba. This security initiative, a combination of the military, police, and community policing, has been actively dislodging criminal hideouts, busting ritual native doctor dens, and dismantling kidnapper camps.
Anambra’s aggressive action against these heinous crimes has attracted widespread attention, not just within the state but across the region. With its boundaries sharing proximity to Imo State, it has become crucial for the Imo State government to consider reinforcing community policing to avoid a spillover of criminal activities. Criminals, especially ritual killers and kidnappers, often relocate to neighboring states when security forces intensify their efforts in one area. Imo State could be a potential target for these criminals to carry out their nefarious acts if preventive measures are not immediately put in place.
It is therefore essential for the Imo State government to urgently address this issue and adopt effective strategies to combat the growing insecurity that may spill over from Anambra. Reinforcing community policing should be a top priority. Community policing allows local residents to actively participate in ensuring the safety of their neighborhoods, offering an effective mechanism for identifying and addressing criminal activity before it escalates.
The role of traditional rulers in local governance cannot be overemphasized in this situation. Traditional rulers are crucial in maintaining peace and order in rural and urban communities, as they are closest to the people and their concerns. As such, they must be mandated to take active measures in monitoring and checking unfamiliar or suspicious movements within their communities. Ensuring that strangers or new residents have verifiable and traceable livelihoods should be a part of the community’s responsibility. Traditional rulers who fail to uphold this responsibility and allow their communities to harbor criminals should be held accountable, with appropriate sanctions, including arrest, if necessary.
In addition to the role of traditional rulers, landlords and property owners must exercise caution when renting out properties. It is essential for house owners to conduct thorough background checks on potential tenants to ensure they do not harbor criminal intentions. Renting a property to individuals with unverifiable or questionable backgrounds could inadvertently contribute to the rise in criminal activities within the community.
Furthermore, it is high time that traditional rulers, particularly those who do not actively oversee their communities or are based in urban centers such as Owerri, relocate back to their respective localities. Their presence and direct involvement in the administration of their communities are paramount in fostering peace, security, and trust among residents.
Ultimately, the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of the people should be a collective effort between the government, security agencies, traditional institutions, and community members. It is vital that the Imo State government acts quickly and decisively to strengthen its security apparatus, particularly by boosting community policing initiatives to counter the growing menace of criminality and to prevent Imo from becoming the next haven for fleeing criminals from Anambra.
Through these coordinated efforts, it is possible to secure the region, curb the activities of ritual native doctors, and create safer communities for all.
Prince Maduba Chukwudi Francis.
OluImo.
Public Affairs Analyst
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