Obiano and the challenge of ridding Anambra of criminal elements

By Ikenna Asomba

Governor Willie Obiano

It was some minutes past 5.00pm on Sunday, April 13, 2014, when the Anambra State-bound Chisco Luxurious bus which I boarded as at 9.00am from Lagos, arrived the River Niger bridge, which links the eastern region to other parts of Nigeria.







Lucky enough for us, on this fateful day, the usual sight of a hectic traffic gridlock experienced by motorists and other road users on the bridge was missing. So, within some minutes, our bus passed the 50-year old bridge into Africa's largest market, the Onitsha market.

The last time I visited Anambra State was in September 2013 to attend the Feast of Tabernacles at the corporate headquarters of House of Prayer International Covenant Church (HPICC), Okporo-Orlu, Imo State. But on this recent visit, where I spent over a week, in a bid to have an exclusive chat with the newly appointed Commissioner of Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, certain changes in the state caught my utmost attention.

Within the one week I spent in Anambra state, I was opportuned to tour major towns like Ihiala, Okija, Uli, Amorka, Okohia, Azia, Ozubulu, Oraifite, Oba, Nnewi, Nnobi, Ekwulobia, Igboariam, Aguleri, Umuleri, Ekwusigo, Onitsha and Awka. Indeed, Dr. Willie Obiano's Operation Sweep strategy adopted within two weeks of assuming office is really paying off in the fight to rid Anambra of criminal elements.

Obiano had during the inauguration of 19 commissioners and 10 special advisers on April 11 promised Anambra people of cleansing the state from kidnappers, armed-robbers and their nefarious activities. Making do his promise, he set-up a joint task force comprising of the Army, Navy, Police, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NCDC) and other local security apparatti.

Also, poised to achieving an Anambra state that will be criminal-free for investors to come in to invest, Obiano on April 10 and 11, in Awka, the state capital, held a maiden 2-day Security Summit, which saw the presence of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, top security experts, royal fathers and other stakeholders, pondering on the effective strategies of riding the state of criminal elements.

Policemen on duty

Swooping into action, the joint task force have since been combing the length and breadth of the state, bulldozing purported criminals hide-outs and places where marijuana and other hard narcotics are sold, especially across city centres like Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka.

Onitsha, formerly known for its notoriety is now witnessing a new lease of life, courtesy of the ban on the activities of touts known as 'agbero,' especially on major roads and highways. Their activities are now compulsorily limited to bus parks and garages.

Unlike some south-western states like Lagos, where at every bus-stop on major roads and highways touts harass commercial motorists, tricyclists and motorcyclists for unjustifiable monies, it is no longer business as usual for this group in Anambra state, as the new governor has affirmed that enough is enough for their nefarious activities.

Commercial motorists and other road users can now disembark their commuters without any fear of being harassed by anyone.

Indeed Anambra is returning to its old order of peacefulness and tranquility, as men of the joint task force are always seen combing villages, markets, towns and city centres of the state with their hillux vans with blaring sirens that send shivers into the spines of criminal elements. No more wearing of indecent dresses youths (male and female); no more cutting of 'gallas,' the crazy hairstyle popular among boys; no more sagging, wearing of low-waist; no more smoking of marijuana or even cigarettes especially in public places.

Also, towards ridding Anambra of criminal elements, the state government has provided toll free telephone numbers to its citizens to call men of the joint task force, should they suspect any illegal movement by anybody or group. Even in families where they have recalcitrant relations, the mention of the Obiano Joint Task Force gives such a person goose pimples.

No doubt, the relative peace which has returned to Anambra state was evident this Easter, as there was no reported case of armed-robbery or kidnapping. Indigenes and other visitors like me, who visited the state this season for holiday among other reasons slept with our two eyes closed.

This total cleansing by the Obiano-led administration is presently endearing him to the hearts of Anambrarians. A new name which the governor has picked within two weeks of assuming office, for this giant stride on security is 'Obiakpo' literary meaning 'The man with a stone-hearted heart.'