…calls for Adequate Training and Profiling of Vigilante Operatives
By Rose Oranye
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, on Monday, October 28, 2024, paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, to familiarise and share ideas on better ways to improve on the current security situation in the state.
Addressing the Police Commissioner at his office in Amawbia, Mefor opined that profiling and adequate training of vigilante operatives by the police will not only enable prompt and proper flow of information but will help build their general orientation to effectively discharge their duties.
“I felt the need to see you. I speak for the government, and that means I have to comment on security issues whenever the need arises. We really need to be in touch so that we will be on the same page in matters of security.
“I want to commend the police for their efforts in combating crime. I am also worried about the issue of profiling of vigilante operatives in the state. Security challenges in Anambra State are becoming more and more asymmetric, meaning that a lot of the enemies are embedded. We need to know who the vigilante security operatives are. They need to be trained psychologically apart from weapon handling and otherwise.
“Undergoing training by the police will help build their capacity for the job. Most of them are barely trained in gun handling. If the vigilante security operatives are properly constituted, they will be an extension of the police and supply basic information that will help your work as expected in community policing. There’s a need to fully recover the state from criminals,” Mefor said.
Responding, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam expressed happiness over the Commissioner’s visit and expressed commitment to improving the security situation of the state and urged Ndị Anambra to always cooperate with the police to enable the Force to serve them better.
While appreciating the Information Commissioner’s suggestion about vigilante security operatives’ profiling, CP Itam assured that the police have plans to restructure operations regarding the vigilante operations and other levels of security operations in the state.
The Police Commissioner further disclosed his plans to commence a radio program ‘Ask the Police,” with Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), where DPOs and other senior police officers will interact with the people in the weekly radio programme.
Oranye is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.