Anambra Police Commissioner Moves To End Sit-At-Home Order, Strengthens Security
In a renewed effort to restore normalcy and security in Anambra State, Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has declared his intention to put an end to the sit-at-home order that has disrupted life and economic activities in the South-East for years.
The sit-at-home directive, initially imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on July 30, 2021, mandated that residents remain indoors every Monday from August 9, 2021, as a show of solidarity with IPOB’s detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The group later suspended the directive on August 15, 2021, limiting it to days when Kanu appears in court. However, the violent enforcement of the order by armed groups has led to widespread killings, destruction of police stations, local government offices, and private properties, further crippling economic activities in the region.
In a statement released over the weekend, Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to maintaining law and order.
“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,” he said.
To achieve this, the police and security agencies have intensified patrols across strategic locations in Anambra, boosting visibility to deter criminal activities. The police are also allocating resources more efficiently to ensure effective security coverage across the state.
Ikenga further stated that intelligence gathering and community engagement would be key strategies, ensuring collaboration with local communities to gather crucial information and build trust.
Commissioner Orutugu commended Anambra residents and the state government for uniting against security threats. He highlighted the recent launch of “Operation Udo Ga Chi”, a state-backed security initiative aimed at stabilizing Anambra.
“This initiative is a testament to our collective effort to ensure peace and security. The police remain committed to using all necessary legal strategies to restore stability in the state,” Orutugu stated.
The security reinforcements come as authorities ramp up efforts to curb violence, protect lives, and foster economic recovery in the region.
