Insecurity: Anambra CP, Itam warns SPACS over alleged assault on residents

….commissions patrol vehicles donated by 3-3 community

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha 

The Commissioner of Police Anambra State command, CP, Nnaghe Obono Itam, at the weekend warned the members of police Special Anti Cultism Squad, SPACS, over alleged assault and continuous terrorizing of residents of the area.

Itam, however commissioned a patrol vehicle donated to 3-3 police division by the 3-3 community, near Onitsha, to assist in curtailing the spate of insecurity in the area.

Speaking shortly after the commissioning, the CP, who was ably represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations Department, ACP James Ihiebe, commended the chairman of Works Committee, All Estates within 3-3 police division, Jonathan U. Egonu, his executive members and residents for the donation of vehicle assuring that it will yield dividends.

“You have done much, police are not magicians and not rich to provide enough you need. So what ever you do is for you. We will always be at your service. Your donation of the patrol vehicle is an investment that you will reap.

“You have shown a legacy in Anambra and I urge the police to judiciously make use of the vehicle for the community did well by providing the vehicle, it worths emulation,” he stated.

On the alleged assault on residents by police Special Anti Cultism Squad, SPACS, that has been accused of terrorizing the residents by carrying out illegal operations that include, scaling residential perimeter fences, breaking and entrying at odd hours without notifying the 3-3 Police division prior to storming the area, the CP frowned at the allegation.

He warned that henceforth any SPACS member caught in such action would be dealt with accordingly stating that there is no way policeman will behave like a criminal by scaling the fence instead of going through the gate into residential buildings.

Also on demand by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Emeka O. Obi, (CSP), and the community for more police personnel to beef up security, the CP reminded them that there in not enough personnel for now disclosing that it is the reason the police synergize with the vigilante operatives.

“So let’s be at an alert, call the vigilante to assist the police if the police is indisposed to come to your rescue at the time of need,” he further disclosed.

Earlier in his address, the chairman, Egonu, disclosed that the idea for procurement of the vehicle was initiated by the combined efforts of the estates under the said police Division and attributed it to what unity and a shared vision can achieve.

The Onowu of Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Chief Willie Okafor, had while breaking the cola nut, commended the people for procuring the vehicle adding that it is aimed at curbing the increased crime wave in the area.

He expressed satisfaction with the role played by the police in the state and reiterated the resolve of the people con the area to assist the police in crime reduction.

In his own speech, Chief Okonkwo E. Angus,  chairman Federal Housing estate, stated that the vehicle was a product of their sleepless nights to make sure it comes to success. 

He frowned at what he termed criminal activities of SPACS adding, “What we want about Anti cult is whoever that is coming for any arrest should identify themselves for us to make sure they are real Anti cult, not kidnapers .

Ambros Agha, chairman of First Street Estate,, Prime junction, Nsugbe, admitted that the Anti cult comes at odd hours and commits atrocities without respect to other security men on ground.

Chinazor Ezeayom, chairman, Valley View Estate, disclosed that the purpose of the vehicle donation was for security and to assist police in combating crime disclosing that crime wave is in the increase in the area.

He lamented the illegal activities of SPACS adding, “The Anti Cult men are disturbing us just that whoever that knows law doesn’t fail law. The other time, they came to our Estate and destroyed our gate, I have petitioned them, the problem is that you wouldn’t know the particular Anti cult station that came. 

“They are behaving like criminals. I am happy with what Commissioner said today though is not that criminals are not in the Estates. Estate chairmen should know who and who are in their Estates and not to keep criminals, we should expose them if any.

“What we are begging CP is that whenever they want to come they should come at normal hour and not coming at the wee hours and destroy our properties,” he pleaded.

Echidime Ihejimba, chairman Upper Hill view Estate, recalled that former vehicle donated was destroyed during EndSARS protest which prompted the procurement of the present vehicle to curtail spate of crime as police will continue to talk of logistic problem.

On SPACS he said, “Yes Anti cult are disturbing us at the wrong hour. It is not that they will not do their work but there is modus operandi for work and I myself as a landlord of many buildings, I advised my fellow landlords, whenever you are renting your house, know the type of person you are renting into your house..

The commander, Vigilante group 3-3, Mr. Ikechukwu Odigbo, stressed the need for patrol vehicle adding that he personally procured the one his group is using.

“If there is any problem or emergency, you can’t move fast and even if you trek, there would not be enough men. I will keep on begging for vehicle and I know buying vehicle will solve the problem. Since I bought one vehicle, we have achieved a lot” he stressed.