Police vow to end IPOB sit-at-home order in Anambra

Ikioye Orutugu, the Anambra Sate Commissioner of Police, in a bid to restore normalcy and security in the State, has declared his intention to end the sit-at-home order that has been in existence in the South-East States for some years now.

Recall that the illegal order has been a source of concern for residents and authorities alike in the State, and the entire South- East.

The road to this infamy began on July 30, 2021 when IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra, an Ibo Separatist Group) declared that beginning from August 9, 2021, every Monday shall be sit-at-home, warning against “attempt to flout this directive as doing so may come with huge consequences. Anybody flouting this order is taking a grave risk.”

However, following unprecedented killings and destruction of Police Stations, Loccal Government Secretariats and private properties, including the devastating effects on the economy, prompting IPOB on August 15, 2021 to suspend the sit-at-home, saying it would only be held on days its detained leader appears in Court.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer in a statement at the weekend, emphasised the Police’s dedication to maintaining law and order in the State.

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“With the combined efforts of the police, other security agencies, and the community, the state is poised to overcome the challenges posed by the sit-at-home order.

“To achieve this goal, the police, in collaboration with other security forces, have intensified patrols across strategic locations in the state. This enhanced security presence includes,” he said.

Ikenga said that security personnel had been positioned to check criminal activities as they are now more visible, patrolling areas to deter criminal activities through strategic deployment of personnel and resources, as the police is allocating resources more efficiently to ensure effective coverage.

He futher added that Intelligence gathering and community engagement would drive the security forces towards engaging with local communities to gather information and build trust.

These measures, he said, were aimed to create a secure environment, conducive to economic and social growth. Commissioner Orutugu has commended the people of Anambra and the state government for joining forces to condemn acts that threaten national unity and peace.

He also hinted that the recent launch of the state security operative “Operation Udo Ga Chi” is a testament to this collective effort, as the police is committed to exploring all necessary legal strategies to stabilize the state’s security.