Fides Media Living the Faith
By Jude Atupulazi
Anambrarians who are apprehensive of enjoying a hitch free Christmas have been told not to worry as the state government has put up measures to ensure their safety.
The Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, said that besides checkpoints and security patrols, it is also using technology and putting in place hitch-free call mechanisms, to ensure people report criminals timely enough for action.
The governor’s assurance was contained in a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime, on the Governor’s behalf, in which he dismissed a viral message circulating in the state, which had warned Christmas returnees to avoid certain roads as they had been taken over by criminals.
He said, ‘The state is leveraging technology to make it possible for people to make distress calls and share messages, videos and otherwise, of incidents that will enhance security response and services.
‘The toll free 112 call centre line is available 24/7, as well as the police phone numbers. Well-meaning citizens should make calls to the lines for security or related matters.’
Speaking on the viral message, Aburime said the attention of Anambra State Government had been drawn to a viral message by an anonymous writer, insinuating insecurity in some parts of the state during the yuletide period.
‘In the message, the author listed some roads and junctions which he/she warned returnees and visitors to the state to avoid for fear of attacks by gunmen. The information is mischievous, misleading and untrue,’ Aburime insisted.
He added that the governor remained focused on making Anambra the safest state in Nigeria and that no misleading information or mischievous write ups would stop him from achieving that.
‘In line with this resolve, the governor urges the good people of Anambra, residents and visitors, to ignore any unfounded alarm meant to infuse fear in them or discourage them from visiting the state. These are idle engagements which the government has all that it takes to deal with,’ Aburime added.
He listed the measures put in place to ensure adequate security to include; use of checkpoints, patrol and response teams to cover various routes in the state, and using a combined team of Anambra State Vigilante and security forces from conventional security agencies.