Caution IPOB, Eastern Security Network, IGP tells Igbo leaders

He warns that freedom will not be achieved through violent means, adding that the emerging trend of killing police men and burning stations will no longer be tolerated

The IGP spoke Tuesday at the women’s Development Center in Awka, during the Anambra State security summit.

He was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of finance and administration, Joseph Egbunike.

But Anambra State traditional rulers, led by Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe told the IGP that they would not be talking about IPOB and ESN when the herders were allowed to carry AK -47 without checkmating them.

All the monarchs including Igwe Godwin Ezeilo of Nanka in Orumba North local government area and Igwe Christopher Okpala Akwaeze Anaocha local government area, said herdsmen had taken over their land and were security risks to their subjects including the women.

Also, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, while addressing the security agencies, the monarchs, Town Union presidents, Ohanaeze leaderships and youth said itinerant herdsmen would no longer be allowed into any community in the State.

Obiano, said anything about security was number one for his administration, adding that without security, “you are dead on arrival”

However, he commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Security operatives, the youths and monarchs for the collective efforts in making sure Anambra remained the safest state in the country.

He said, “Communal clashes are as dangerous as herdsmen. We are going to organize a census for the herdsmen who operate in our state to know how many they are and they will be meeting with the leadership of every community where they operate.

“After the census, we are not going to allow itinerant herdsmen into our state. Any herdsman with gun is a criminal and we will not allow that.

“They are the people that kill, rape our women in the society. We are going to position the military, police in Omor, Ayamelum, Orumba areas and other Communities where they cause havoc in the state to curtail their excesses,” Obiano said.

But the IGP, who commended Obiano for his support to security agencies in Anambra, said certain things should not be allowed to happen in Anambra.

He added that other states should emulate Anambra State on the issue of security, adding that the emerging trend now was killing and burning Police stations in the State, warning that the police would not fold their hands and allow such anarchy.

“There are emerging trend in this area, like killing and burning police stations in the state. They go with different names and such things don’t happen in the West.

“No freedom movement has ever succeeded through violent means. As stations are burnt, our sons and daughters are being killed and anarchy is brewing.

“The security agencies must hunt you anywhere you run to and nobody is talking and that is failure of government, do we allow it to continue in Anambra.

“We should take possession of our borders and flash points; we need such intelligence among us.

“Those who call themselves IPOB or Eastern Security Network ESN, who are being deceived and misguided, should always consult the elders for directions. And we want to be president, is that how to achieve it? It is a big challenge to Ndigbo.

“What are our leaders and intellectuals doing to checkmate the current trend? We are ready to maintain the peace in this state. We are not going to keep quite to allow things go awry,” IGP said.