By Ndudi Anyim
Tough times await criminals in Anambra State, as the new Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Kuryas, has warned them to either turn a new leaf or relocate. The police boss in his maiden press briefing on Tuesday, vowed to employ all arsenal to tackle crime in the State.
CP kuryas maintained that all efforts and energies shall be mobilized and deployed towards the prevention of crimes; and the successful apprehension of criminals that would test the resolve of the Command.
He said the Command under his watch will reinvigorate Operation Puff Adder II and give it more bite to tackle cultism, robbery, kidnapping and illegal revenue collections particularly in Onitsha, Nkpor, Obosi, Oba, Enugu-Agidi road, Nnobi/Alor road and Nnewi.
The Anambra police boss therefore urged all officers and men of the Command to brace up for the task ahead, warning that the Command under his leadership will not tolerate any form of professional misconduct.
He said: “ I have been fully briefed on a few criminal and security challenges in the State at the moment. These include, the menace of one chance robbery gangs, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, illegal revenue collectors and of course disputes over land, kingship, boundaries, farmers/herders clash and sundry offences.
“ My advise to Cultists, robbers, kidnappers and other hoodlums in the State is for them to have a rethink and purge themselves or relocate from the State. “ Furthermore, I am not unmindful of other challenges bordering on professional misconduct on the part of our officers and men such as extortion, unlawful detention and incivility to members of the public among others. In this vein, I urge all personnel of the Command to eschew corrupt practices and indiscipline. ”
Addressing the menace of fake news, the Anambra police boss, said it has the capacity to cause widespread disaffection, chaos, violence or disruption of the public peace.
He therefore warned purveyors of fake news to desist from such or face the full wrath of the law whenever they are apprehended.
The CP further disclosed that the Command will also make efforts to employ Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) strategies and Community Policing Principles where applicable and germane to specific problems and issues.
Describing the feat achieved by his predecessor, AIG John B.Abang, as laudable, CP kuryas said: ” My predecessor recorded many successes in curbing the menace of armed robbery, cultism and communal crisis across the State, arrest and prosecution of other capital offenders in crimes such as murder and rape as well as the general maintenance of law and order in the State. ”
While assuring that operatives of the Command will act in accordance with the respect for the Rule of Law and fundamental Human Rights, the police chief said the Command will sustain the existing inter-agency collaboration in keeping residents of Anambra safe.
He also called for the cooperation of all well-meaning members of Anambra State, to cooperate with the police in making the state safer.
“ We will continue to work assiduously to sustain the status quo of Anambra as the safest State in the country. It is also pertinent to emphasize here that, the safety and security of lives and property in the State will not be possible without the cooperation of well meaning members of the public and religious/community leaders.
“ Your trust in the ability of the Police and other security agencies will continue to enhance safe and secure environment for all residents in the State. I want to solicit the support and understanding of the members of the media in the resolve of the Police Command to make Anambra State safer for all and sundry.
“ I encourage well meaning members of the public resident in Anambra State to report any suspicious person(s) or movement(s) to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency number *112 or call 07039194332* for prompt action,” the CP said.