By Ebinum Samuel
Before now it was a gory tale, wanton destruction of lives and property. Live was no longer safe for residents, visitors and those passing the state to other states of the country as armed hoodlums, terrorists, kidnappers and members of the dreaded IPOB held everyone by the jugular.
That sordid situation is drastically becoming a thing of the past.The good news is courtesy of the new police chief posted to Anambra state last month by the Inspector-general of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
The police chief, CP Livingsteon Ikioye Orutugu is a tested, shrewd and mercurial police officer who abhor corruption; always at his best when confronted with operational issues. He proved this for several years when he was a unit commander and later squadron commander of the police anti-riot unit.
Orutugu, an impecable no-nonsense officer for a longtime proved his worth in Lagos some 20 years back. While some of his colleagues ran away from crises spots, Orutugu swiftly moved to such places with his crack surbordinates to quel riotous situation. He’s a gallant officer always on alert.
Stakeholders in security matters, crime reporters were not surprised when the police high command in Abuja deployed him to bring sanity to Anambra , a state that over the years, ranked as one the first three commercial hubs of Nigeria before the incursion of criminals to the state.
As a seasoned crime stopper, Orutugu, on his deployment, embarked on a proactive measure by reaching out to everyone. This is an attempt to make the maxim of “Security is everybody business” not only enforcable, but a reality.
The synergy between the police chief with stakeholders is yeilding fruits as residents and visitors now sleep with their two eyes closed.This is not unconnected with Orutugu’s unwavering commitments to fostering collaboration with relevant bodies .
At least, those in the state could say in all equanimity that cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, attacks on people in their homes or on the roads , the activities of IPOB members have been reduced drastically in this past three weeks.
To a resident, Mr Sunday Ifeanyi, ” we want to see how long the peace that pervades in Onitsha where i reside and do business will last. My brother in Nnewi equally informed us that things in our home town are changing
for better, as people in Nnewi now go about their l business activities unattacked by hoodlums or molested by miscreants or terrorists”.
A driver plying Onitsha Benin-city route, David Okounzua told Newstower.ng that they (drivers) and other motorists no longer entertain fear while coming to the commercial city. “I want the Edo and Delta states police to replicate what is happening in Anambra state in these states” said Okunzua.
In his snergy with other sisters’ agencies and relevant bodies, Orutugu has paid courtesy visits to FRSC, NSCDC and RRS outfit in Okuzu. All about his collaborative efforts
At NSCDC, he said his visit is to foster stronger inter-agency collaboration in tackling security challenges within the state. Orutugu emphasized the need for seamless cordination, intelligence sharing and resume integration among security agencies to enhance public safety and sustain ongoing joint operations in critical areas of the state.
Because of his approach towards collective security, the Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Slyvia Chika Ifemeje, had paid him a visit at his Akwa office. Orutugu commended the State Government for setting up Bureau of Missing Persons. He pledged the Command support in providing neccessary assistance to make sure the Bureau’s objective is achieved.
Not left out of the numerous government functionaries willing to syergize with the state police command under the able leadership of Orutugu, is the Mimistry of Women Affairs. Orutugu tasked the officials who came calling to his office to discourage crime and criminalty among youths, promote safer society. He underscored critical role mothers play in shapping societal values.
Also, meeting with the Executives of The Police Campaign Against Cultism And Other Vices, the police boss charged the members to redouble their efforts in sustaining advocacy to discourage the youths in the state from joining bag grouos. He pledged to support the Campaign as he said his administration is already in contact with relevant agencies in the state to roll initiatives that would instl values, morals and character traits among the youths.
To new recruits, Orutugu has a word for them, they either obey the rules and regulations of the force, or seek career elsewhere.