Awka � In a determined effort to guarantee a peaceful and crime-free Easter celebration across Anambra State, the Anambra State Police Command has officially launched a robust security initiative titled Operation Udo Ga Chi � Zero Kidnapping and Other Violent Crimes. The operation, which translates to �Peace Will Reign,� is a comprehensive and multi-agency campaign designed to aggressively combat criminal activities, particularly kidnapping and violent crimes, throughout the state.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing held in Awka, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described the initiative as a proactive and strategic security measure aimed at restoring public confidence, easing fears among residents, and encouraging the safe return of citizens, particularly those traveling home for the Easter festivities.
�This operation is not just about policing; it�s about restoring a sense of safety and community,� CP Orutugu said. �We want our people to celebrate Easter with peace of mind, and we are putting all measures in place to make sure they can do just that.�
He emphasized that the operation is a joint effort involving a coalition of security agencies, each contributing resources and manpower toward a common goal. Participating agencies include the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army (302 Artillery Regiment), the Nigerian Navy (Naval Outpost), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Anambra State Vigilante Group.
�This collaboration is key,� the CP noted. �Security is everyone�s responsibility, and our unity in this operation strengthens our ability to effectively confront and suppress criminal networks across the state.�
As part of the operation, CP Orutugu revealed that Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and heads of other security formations have been given clear directives to intensify patrols and conduct intelligence-driven raids on identified criminal enclaves and flashpoints. These operations will be backed by intelligence-led stop-and-search checkpoints, coordinated joint patrols, and the strategic positioning of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in high-risk areas to allow for rapid emergency response.
�The public should expect to see an increased presence of security personnel. These officers have been carefully briefed and instructed to remain professional, respectful, and civil in their interactions with law-abiding citizens,� CP Orutugu added.
He also called on members of the public to take an active role in ensuring community safety by volunteering credible and timely information that could assist in arresting and prosecuting criminals, particularly those involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent offenses.
CP Orutugu extended his appreciation to the Anambra State Government for its unwavering support in the fight against crime, including the repair and refurbishment of critical operational assets
