Police launch special operation in Anambra to fight crimes

The Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Command has launched a new operation, tagged, “Operation Udo Ga Chi,” meant to fight and eradicate kidnapping and other violent crimes in the State.

The proactive initiative is designed to provide a safe environment for indigenes and residents of the State to come home en-masse for the Easter festive period.

Ikioye Orutugu, the Commissioner of Police, who at the launch on Monday in Awka, said the key components of Operation Udo Ga Chi includes, multi-agency approach as the operation involves collaboration with various Security Agencies.

Read also: Police deploy tactical squads to Plateau amid escalating violence

“A proactive template to assuage the fear of the unknown to effectively police the state by encouraging the great people of Anambra State to come home en-masse for this festive period,” he said

The Security Agencies, included the Army, Navy, Department of State Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Anambra State Vigilance Service.

Urutugu, however, stressed that intelligence-driven approach would be used for the operation which would utilise intelligence gathering, stop-and-search operations, and targeted patrols to identify and apprehend criminals.

Read also: Police teargas protesters in Rivers, Abuja over emergency rule, repression

According to him, for the required impact to be achieved, residents are encouraged to report suspicious activities to the Joint Security Information Room through designated phone numbers: Police: 07039194332, NDLEA, 09136832679, NSCDC, 08066769442, FRSC: 122, Anambra State Vigilantes, 511 and 122.

To ensure enhanced security measures, the Police Commissioner said that Divisional Police Officers and other Security Agencies had been directed to conduct raids on identified criminal hotspots and flashpoints in the State.