Nwangele LGA Delegation Visits Imo Police Boss, Calls For Synergy In Security

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

No doubt, the growing security challenge from Nigeria’s SouthEast region gives cause for concern to discerning minds; home and abroad. But it was not always so. Until recently, the SouthEast, Imo State in particular, was arguably, the most peaceful state in the country;  enjoying its signature status and alluring ambience as the epicentre of tourism and hospitality.

Unfortunately, in the last two or three months, the above heart-warming testimony and cheering news about a peaceful Imo State  suddenly evolved into a hotbed of violence allegedly sponsored by power mongers, desperate politicians, enemies of the state and remnants of the opposition elements, whose dangerous mission was to twist the narrative and paint gory image about a peaceful Imo, her citizens and the State Government, through their  malicious and mischievous paid media hirelings. 

To the glory of God, Governor Hope Uzodimma’s timely response to the security impasse necessitated the urgent need for a renewed energy in the security  architecture of the state as a new Chief Cop in the person of a well prepared, experienced security  strategist and expert, Imo  Commissioner of Police, CP Yaro Abutu, Fdc, was dutifully deployed to the state to quickly curtail the security menace amid commendations.

Today, one can confidently say, without being guilty of sounding immodest, that the hoodlums have deserted the state capital as peace has completely returned back to the state while businesses and even night life resumed in full blown dimension. 

The above development, however, informed the decision of the Member representing Nwangele Constituency and Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, to converge a delegation of Nwangele leaders  ably led by Dr. C.C. Osuala,  Honourable Commissioner  for Budgeting, Economic Planning and Statistics, on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021, for a ‘thank you visit’ to Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Yaro Abutu, Fdc, at the Police Command Headquarters, Owerri, as the good people of Nwangele LGA lent their voices alongside well meaning Imo citizens to appreciate both the State Governor and the Commissioner of Police for their tireless efforts in ensuring that  lives and properties are protected in the state.

Speaking during the visit, a former speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and a member of the delegation, Rt. Hon. Amaechi Nwaoha, thanked Mr. Yaro Abutu for granting them audience as he expressed an old adage that; “Since a frog does not run by the daytime in vain”; a visit which involved high profile Nwangele leaders, stakeholders and crème of the traditional rulers must be a very serious one of concern to the people, especially with the recent ugly trend of kidnapping activities in the rural areas.

Nwaoha, however, requested for more Police presence in the LGA,  promising that the leaders shall corporate with the Police by creating synergy and providing  both logistical and other forms of material assistance to make their men work very effectively. He also commended the efforts and  sacrifices of concerned stakeholders like High Chief Maurice Onwukwe, in ensuring security of lives in the LGA even at personal costs.

In the same vein, an elder statesman and community leader, Chief Dr. Ukeje Nwokeforo, expressed confidence that there is much the Police can do in the LGA to alienate the fears of many about the growing cases of kidnapping activities in the area;  while asking the Police to keep them in the loop the needed requirements to assist them in carrying out their legitimate state assignment.

The DPO in charge of Nwangele Police Division, CSP Innocent Ofili, heartily thanked the leadership of Nwangele LGA for such thoughtful and timely visit to the Police High Command officer in the state. He also pleaded for assistance and cooperation among the leaders since security is everyone’s business.

Another stakeholder, High Chief (Engr.) Paul Ozigbu, also commended the tireless efforts of Nwangele DPO in ensuring relative peace in the LGA as it was not engulfed in the recorded  incidence of burning of Police Stations by hoodlums during the nationwide #EndSARS protests.

Since Nwangele is arguably, the most developed Local Government area in Imo State,  with motorable good road network and accelerated development, the Abba born road  construction giant, Chief Ozigbu,  appealed to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yaro Abutu, to beef up security presence in the LGA as the needed assistance to do their work effectively would not be lacking, he maintained.

CP Yaro Abutu, Fdc, while adopting a multi-stakeholders approach in community policing, also made recommendations on how best to mitigate growing  security concerns in the area, while challenging groups, individuals, local vigilante security network as well as concerned citizens, to get involved in the fight against crime in their respective areas which is not peculiar to Nwangele LGA; since security should be everyone’s business.

In his 30 minutes address to members of the delegation, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yaro Abutu, admitted that Imo is truly a progressive state. He however, promised to look into a number of the issues, concerns and passionate appeals made by his August visitors;  which included securing the Local Government area completely from reported cases of local  kidnapping, protection of lives and properties as the obvious progress and developmental giant stride made in Nwangele is by individual’s years of toiling and by dint of hard work. 

The Chairman of Nwangele Council of Ndi Eze and traditional  ruler of Ekitiafor Abba Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Uzomah Onunenyi, on behalf of Ndi Eze Nwangele, poured traditional libation and royal blessings on the Imo new Chief Cop, praying for God’s protection and promotion in his career as a top ranking Police officer in the country.

An obviously elated leader of the delegation and Imo Honourable Commissioner for Budgeting, Economic Planning and Statistics, Dr. C.C.  Osuala, gratefully  thanked the Commissioner of Police, Yaro Abutu, Fdc, for speaking the minds of members of the delegation through his  most lucid and succinctly captured remarks about everyday life in Nwangele LGA.

During his short closing remarks and vote of thanks, Dr. Osuala promised that the delegation shall put into practice a number of the salient security recommendations made by the senior Police officer in the state even as the good people of Nwangele are looking  forward to hosting Mr. Yaro Abutu in the LGA.

See attached below:
Comprehensive list of members of the delegation (Tuesday, July 27th, 2021).
✓ https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5794907087248790&id=100001886697102

– Njoku Macdonald Obinna,
Media Consultant|PR-Expert,
Publisher, 4th Estate Reporters.