We will not tolerate criminals posing as freedom fighters – IGP

Mr Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police, has stated that police will not spare common criminals who are hiding in order to attack Anambra people.

He claimed that those committing criminal acts in Anambra State, as well as attacking police officers and other facilities, are agitating for a separate state as a cover for criminality.

Baba made the remarks in Amawbia, near Awka, Anambra State, where he dedicated an ultra-modern divisional police station attached to a police barracks for senior division officers.

He stated that police will no longer allow such criminals to operate in any South East state, adding that there are better ways to agitate than to engage in criminal activity.

“Secessionist ideas will not be tolerated in this form. There are better ways to agitate, and these people will not intimidate the government. This is criminality, and the Biafra agitation is merely a smokescreen for criminality.

“Vigilante operatives are critical to our crime-fighting efforts. We would not have succeeded without the vigilante operatives. We urge communities to rally behind their vigilante. Security is everyone’s concern; security is not remaining silent when you see what is wrong or what you should do.

“We are behind you (commissioner of Police in Anambra State) to ensure that there is law and order in Anambra. The governor is security-friendly and has always been helpful to us.

“With the challenges of 2023, we will provide a level playing field and create an environment in which all politicians can exercise their franchise.”

Speaking about the new divisional police station, Baba stated that it is an initiative to provide police operatives with a conducive working environment so that they can give their all.

“This is one of the projects we have put in place for our officers to have a great place to work and retire into. We need more structures like this to provide a good working environment for our men.

Earlier, the state police commissioner, CP Echeng Echeng, described the new division as a watershed moment in the police force’s repositioning for better service delivery.

He stated that despite the actions of criminals posing as separatists, Anambra has been largely peaceful for the past ten months.

He requested that the IG mobilize armoured tanks for the state in order to help stabilize the gains made thus far.

“We are ready to ensure a peaceful Yuletide in the state, and the need for additional logistics support cannot be overstated,” Echeng said.