By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has condemned the recent attacks on security personnel in the state as well as a cult war that led to the beheading of a rival cult member.

The governor who addressed the state Sunday evening said that government is doing everything possible to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

He said: “We have received massive Police, Army, Navy and DSS deployment since yesterday and they have joined their teams on ground to enforce security

“Since these attacks commenced, I have personally coordinated security Commanders in the State with a joint effort to halt this mayhem and by God's, we will surely succeed. The State Security Council has met twice and I summoned another emergency meeting this afternoon hence my address.

“Let me emphatically state that any attacks on security personnel in Anambra is a direct attack on the State itself and will be resisted with our greatest might. Those who attack us are obviously intent on distorting the peace and security we have enjoyed in Anambra State in the past seven years and we will not allow that.

“I have therefore directed all security agencies in the State, the Vigilante Services, all task forces and every structure in the State security infrastructure to rise in defence of our dear state.”

Obiano called on all youths in the state, communities, all market task forces and every outfit in the state to duty.

He also urged traditional rulers, PGs, community leaders and stakeholder in the state to rise to protect the state saying that as the governor, he has raised the security alert and is committed to restoring order and security.

The governor said that the police has arrested three principal suspects involved in the beheading of a suspected cultist, saying that they shall face the full wrath of the law.

He added: “I have ordered a clampdown on all cultists and their activities. This state shall no longer tolerate the violence that erupts now and then in the name of cultism. Those who try our will in this regard will have themselves to blame. I urge all youths in the state to shun cultism and embrace meaningful lifestyles.

“In the same vein, all kinds of touting in the state in whatever guise especially in Onitsha will no longer be tolerated. Security agencies are hereby directed to arrest anybody hanging on the road with sticks and molesting innocent citizens, drivers etc. The madness must stop.”

The governor announced that fitted tinted glasses on vehicles as well as covered plate numbers will no longer be allowed on all roads within the state.

According to him, security agencies will be conducting special and strategic operations aimed at neutralising the emerging threats to the state's collective safety.

While empathising with the security agencies and families of those killed in the recent attacks, Obiano asked for the understanding of the public even ad he gave assurance that all law abiding citizens have nothing to worry about.

On the kidnap and murder of the President General of Omor, Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state, the governor assured all Omor people that the Government and security agencies are doing everything to apprehend the kidnappers with a few arrests already made.

He said that massive security deployment will also be strategically made along the Ayamelum axis to stop further incursions by criminals.

“My heart goes out to the family of the late PG and the Omor community in general.

When the incident occurred, Government in collaboration with the Police and the community youths made sustained efforts to rescue him alive. Unfortunately, his abductors killed him in the forest and fled.

“It took efforts by the Police to recover his body after an extensive search exercise.

“Let me restate the call for collective efforts by all Anambra people to defend our State against these recent attacks on security personnel and formations as this is the only solution to forestall criminality. We cannot allow our security achievements and status as the safest state in Nigeria to be compromised at all,” Obiano stated.

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