Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has directs traditional rulers in the State to treat herdsmen carrying AK47 as armed robbers.
He handed dowm the order at a one-day stakeholders Security Summit organised by the Nigerian Police Force at Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka.
Governor Obiano explained that he gave the order bearing in mind that security of lives and property of Ndi Anambra is his number one enabler and focus.
He hinted that the meeting will help to restrategize and address challenges currently bedeviling the state occasioned by Fulani herdsmen who carry AK 47 rifle.
Addressing the traditional rulers and Presidents-General of all the communities in Anambra State, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, represented by DIG Joseph Egbunike, called on traditional rulers and Presidents-General to join police and other law enforcement agencies to fight crime in their dormains and as well help police to identify who the hoodlums are.
The police boss warned miscreants and those who burn police stations and at times kill people to have a rethink or risk arrest and prosecution.
He noted that more synergy between the police, other sister agencies and the vigilantee will help in addressing insecurity in the state.
On his part, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Greg Obi, assured that the state government can never compromise the security of its citizens’ lives andproperty.
The Chairman, South East and Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, who is also the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, replying to the speech made by the Inspector General of Police said that the region can not be discussing the activities of Eastern Security Network, ESN, and IPOB when Fulani herdsmen move freely with AK-47 without being checkmated.
Igwe Achebe promised that traditional rulers in the State will take the security messages to their various communities.
All the monarchs including Igwe Godwin Ezeilo of Nanka in Orumba North and Igwe Christopher Okpala of Akwaeze in Anaocha local government area, said herdsmen had taken over their land and were security risks to their subjects including the women.
