Nkpor community in Idemili-North Local Government Area of Anambra State has declared total war on criminal elements in the area.
The declaration which came on the heels of cult clashes, robbery attacks and other forms of criminal activities in the community, was the collective resolve of the people to reduce insecurity to the bearest minimum as well as enthrone a tranquil atmosphere devoid of panic for indigenes and residents of the community.
The declaration which was made at Nkpor Civic Centre Eke-Nkpor during the launch of Operation Secure Nkpor and Unveiling of Nkpor Security Blue Print, put together by Nkpor Development Union in conjunction with Nkpor Security Management Committee, was an occasion for the people of Nkpor to strategise on the best possible way to execute the war against criminal elements terrorising the community.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye who was represented by the Divisional Police Officer Ogidi Division, CSP Amobi Frank, stressed the need for cooperation and support for the security architecture in the area to engender peace, progress and development in the community.
President-General Nkpor Development Union, Chief Godwin Amadike, also stated that it was time Nkpor took a bold step to put a stop to crimes and criminalities to enable citizens live in peace without security breaches.
Amadike who amongst other things, lauded the security initiative geared towards reclaiming Nkpor community from hoodlums and miscreants, maintained that the launch of “Operation Secure Nkpor” will go a long way to guarantee neighborhood watch, instill security consciousness in the people and also improve security and social life in the community.
An indigene of the community, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Ebelechukwu Group of Schools, Chief Ebelechukwu Chukwukelu, emphasized the need for more proactive measures for youth development and involvement in community affairs.
Chukwukelu was of the opinion that insecurity can not be frontally tackled without adequate plans for rehabilitation and provision for therapy centres where youths can be counselled on the dangers of engaging in criminal activities and benefits of living a more meaningful life, adding that the declaration of war on criminal elements in the area was a bold security initiative but the youths, according to him, must be given a sense of belonging inorder to achieve laudable results.
Also the current Chairman Nkpor Main Market Mr. Paul Okafor, underscored the importance of ” Operation Secure Nkpor” saying that it will be highly beneficial to traders in the 9 major markets in the area.
Okafor said that most times traders in the markets received threatening phone calls where certain unknown persons compelled traders to pay money into certain accounts or risk loosing their lives.
He equally disclosed that traders suffer incessant gruesome attacks where hoodlums snatched their phones, money and other valuables from them at gun points.
He however suggested that the bold security initiative of Nkpor Security Management Committee should be supported to enable traders do their businesses in peace and without fear of molestations from criminal elements.
The Chief Security Officer of Nkpor community and Chairman Nkpor Security Management Committee, Chief Chris Okey Udeze, said Nkpor has rolled out the security architecture it intends to work with moving forward.
Udeze said there are so many cases of crimes in Nkpor and that the past regime of Nkpor Development Union did not do much to curb crime and criminality in the area.
He said that the new President-General of Nkpor Development Union, Chief Godwin Amadike, came in with a set mind to change the ugly narrative of the community.
Udeze said they have gone to the Police Commissioner, Director SSS, the Commissioner for Home Land Security and other critical stakeholders and made it categorically clear that they would require their supports to achieve the security agenda for Nkpor community.
He said they also launched a Security Trust Fund to enable them source funds to actualize Nkpor security blue print because the community, according to him, is completely bereft of security apparatus.
Apart from the Security Appeal Fund, he said they would amongst other proactive measures introduce what he mentioned as Residents’ Security Data Form which would be used to identify tenants and visitors living in Nkpor community.
Udeze who is also the National Coordinator of Community Policing Partners, said that through the appeal fund, the community hopes to procure security gadgets, vehicles and others to really have a functional security in the community.
He said that the Security Management Committee has given a 6 months target to fight insecurity head on in Nkpor community. That in no distant future, the story will change for good.
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