Community Vigilante Groups across the 176 communities in Anambra are to be disbanded by the state government following allegations of compromising the security operations in the areas.
According to a circular by the ministry of information, a new community vigilante outfit is being formed by the government and security operatives in the state in a bid to battle the activities of the unknown gunmen.
This is coming as a Joint Task Force against insecurity in Anambra and Imo states commenced Arial and land assaults in Anambra South Senatorial District and Orlu Senatorial District in Imo state.
So far a total of 57 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings in Anambra state while over 18 were taken out in the course of operations by security operatives.
According to the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr Echeng Echeng who spoke to reporters on Monday in Awka, the security would not relent in fishing out those hoodlums.
“We are putting together a new community vigilante outfit in the state because the group we have now has compromised the security operations.
“The current one will be disbanded because people do not come up with relevant information about the activities of these criminals and you know that security is a joint thing and it is not for security operatives alone.
“These thing you call unknown gunmen is wrong because we know them and they are in those communities and they are living with the natives.
“They are not spirits they are human beings and we have made a lot of arrests and a great number of them were taken out in the course of engaging them.
“We have been there and they only have shrines where they force the natives to take oath of secrecy and silence and all these things are basically psychological angles to cow them.
“You should watch and see what will happen soon and you will get results of what would happen in Anambra South Senatorial District.
“We also have information interface with our colleagues in Imo State because the criminals may want to run to Imo state for safety.’’
On the fate of the late lawmaker Okechukwu Okoye, Mr Echeng said, “there was no demand for ransom by the abductors and we got information that the head of the lawmaker was seen at Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area.
“This LGA recently has been the epicentre of attacks by unknown gunmen on security forces, Vigilante group and defenceless civilians.
“The body of Cyril Chiegboka aide to Okey Okoye who was also murdered in cold blood by his abductors has been recovered and efforts are on top gear to bring the perpetrators of this senseless crime to justice.”
