Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has presented three refurbished Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the State Police Command in what represents a major boost to Operation Kpochapu, the combined security operatives which spearheads security initiatives in major parts of the state.

Making the presentation yesterday at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Governor Obiano announced that the state’s target is to refurbish and present 20 APCs to the police which would be deployed to various parts of the state.

Obiano said that two more APCs would be handed over to the Police Command in two weeks’ time while ten horses would be provided to aid crowd control during major events. According to Governor Obiano, “the APCs are expected to equip the police to adequately battle kidnappers, armed robbers and criminals who threaten the peace in Anambra State.” He enjoined the Police to make effective use and maintain the APCs whilst ensuring that the safety of Ndi Anambra.

Receiving the APCs, the out-going Anambra Commissioner of Police, AIG Usman Gwari, thanked the governor for his zeal and commitment to peace and security in Anambra and efforts geared at ridding the state of all forms of criminality. AIG Gwary recalled that the APCs were wasting away over the years until Obiano’s intervention to have them refurbished and air-conditioned for effective performance. He assured that the carriers would be effectively used for crime-fighting.

AIG Gwary attributed the achievements recorded by the state Police Command during his tenure to the good working relations between the police and the state government, stressing that the encouragement and various interventions on security by Governor Obiano is evident in the peace existing in Anambra. He enjoined his successor to sustain the trend.

Reacting to the development, Anambra State House of Assembly Chairman on Security, Mr. Victor Okoye, praised the foresight and security initiatives of the governor. He observed that equipping the police and building their capacity to enable them discharge their functions effectively.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano shaking the outgoing Anambra State Commissioner of Police, AIG Usman Gwary during the presentation of the refurbished APCs yesterday at the Governor’s Lodge Amawbia. On the governor’s left is DCP Adeoye Finihan.