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By Emeka Chiaghanam

                          

In a renewed effort to strengthen security and discourage violent crime, security agencies in Anambra State have taken their campaign directly to the streets, urging residents to unite against terrorism, cultism, kidnapping, drug abuse and other threats to public safety.

The public awareness walk, held in Awka under the theme “Unite Against Terror,” brought together personnel from various security agencies, government officials, community representatives, transport operators and other residents.

The campaign began at the Awka South Local Government Headquarters, Amawbia, passed through Eke-Awka Market and Zik Avenue, and ended at Light House Junction by the Alex Ekwueme Square, where participants addressed members of the public.

The organisers said the message was simple: security cannot be left to government and security agencies alone. Residents must also play an active role by remaining vigilant, rejecting violence and providing useful information to the authorities.

‘Security is everybody’s business’   

Speaking during the event, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, said the campaign was aimed at creating a united front against terrorism and violent crime.

Mefor condemned those who kill innocent people while presenting themselves as “liberators”, saying violence cannot be justified by claims of fighting for freedom.

He said peace was essential to the development of the state, stressing that government resources being spent on security could otherwise be directed towards education, healthcare, roads and other development projects.

According to him, the state government’s efforts to transform Anambra into a liveable and smart mega city could only succeed in an environment where residents feel safe.

“Security is everybody’s business,” Mefor said, urging residents to adopt the message: “If you see something, say something.”

He also assured members of the public that information supplied to the authorities would be treated confidentially.

He said intelligence provided by residents was processed and used by security agencies, adding that some people who had supplied credible information had also been rewarded.

Mefor urged residents to work together to protect both Anambra State and Nigeria, noting that citizens had no alternative country or state to call their own.

‘Terrorists and kidnappers must have no space’

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr Chris Aburime, said the walk was an opportunity to demonstrate that the government and residents were united against terrorism.

Aburime said the campaign was not only relevant to Anambra but to the entire country, arguing that Nigerians must collectively reject the activities of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.

He condemned attacks, killings, maiming and abductions for ransom, as well as attacks on places of worship.

He commended the security agencies for their efforts, saying their work had helped contain threats that could otherwise have become worse.

Aburime also praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as efforts to confront terrorism and banditry across the country.

He said the walk was intended to send a clear message that criminal elements should not be allowed to make life difficult for ordinary Nigerians.

Security agencies seek public support

The Director of Operation  Agunechemba Security Squad urged residents to reject cultism, drug abuse and terrorism, saying the state government and security agencies were working together to maintain a safer Anambra.

He said the campaign was designed to build on the security progress already made in the state and promote a society where residents could sleep peacefully without fear.

He also called on members of the public to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in dealing with threats to peace.

According to him, kidnapping and abduction had not returned to the state, but rather had been declining, adding that the authorities wanted to sustain that trend.

The appeal for information was echoed throughout the event, with organisers repeatedly urging residents not to ignore suspicious activities around them.

Transport operators join the fight

For Comrade Osita Obi, Coordinator of the Awka Keke Drivers Association, communities have a major role to play in tackling crime.

He argued that criminals often live within communities, making it important for residents to refuse to shield people involved in criminal activities.

Obi said communities must be prepared to provide information about criminals operating among them rather than protecting them.

“If we choose to shield criminals among us, terrorism will continue. If we choose to expose them, terrorism will stop,” he said.

He urged families and communities to cooperate with security agencies by providing information that could help prevent crime.

The commercial transport sector also pledged its support.

Prince Collins Ozojiofor, Coordinator and Chairman of the Keke Tricycle Owners and Riders Association, Anambra State, Awka Zone, said commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators were ready to support the campaign against criminal activities.

He noted that transport operators sometimes unknowingly carry people involved in criminal activities and therefore needed to remain alert.

Ozojiofor urged operators to report suspicious behaviour whenever they noticed it.

He said his association, which has more than 3,000 members, had decided to work with security agencies to protect peace and security across the state.

A message to young people

Also speaking, Dr Mrs Blessing Ogbonna, Coordinator Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and Chairperson of Heads of Federal Establishments in Anambra State, described the campaign as an important step towards protecting young people and society.

She said the fight against insecurity must include tackling cultism and drug abuse, which she said were exposing some young people to activities capable of threatening the peace of communities.

Ogbonna appealed to parents, especially mothers, to pay attention to the activities of their children and encourage young people to stay away from cultism, drugs, terrorism and other harmful activities.

She also appealed to those involved in secretly supplying drugs to young people to stop.

According to her, the campaign against terrorism must go hand in hand with the campaign against drug abuse because both pose serious threats to families and communities.

‘Peace is stronger than violence’

Throughout the walk, participants carried messages designed to encourage peaceful coexistence and public vigilance.

Among the messages displayed were “Peace is stronger than violence,” “Let us stand together and speak out against terror,” “Choose humanity,” and “We are stronger when as one nation, one people.”

The campaign also stressed that there was no room for terrorism in Anambra State and called for closer cooperation between residents and security agencies.

The walk ended with a renewed appeal for citizens to take responsibility for the safety of their communities rather than leaving the task entirely to government and security personnel.

For the organisers and participants, the message was clear: fighting insecurity requires more than patrols and enforcement. It also requires citizens who are willing to speak up, reject criminality and cooperate with the authorities.

The campaign closed with a declaration that captured the spirit of the day:

“Together, we can build a safer, peaceful Anambra. United we stand, terror falls.”