The Commander of the Anambra State Agunaechemba Joint Security Task Force and Special Adviser to Governor Charles Soludo on Security, Chief Ken Emekayi, has refuted the wrong report in the media that he said members of the State security network, comprising Agunaechemba and Operation Udo Ga-Achi, are criminals, as against the framework of their operations.
While speaking to news men on Monday in Akwa, Anambra State, Chief Emekayi said the report was misleading and unfounded, and stated categorically that it did not emanate from him.
He affirmed, “l was quoted out of context. What we are saying is very clear, that some reports stated that members of our outfits were extorting money from people from their pinned down locations, which were referred to as checkpoints. In the first place, we do not have checkpoints, we have pinpoint locations and they have very strict policies, only meant for the security of lives and property in Anambra state”.
He said the essence of pin down locations is to ensure that the people of Anambra go about their normal businesses without being threatened by criminal elements, to screen people passing on each road to ensure that only citizens with legitimate business to conduct are allowed to operate, thereby making it difficult for criminals, such as armed robbers and kidnappers to operate.
The Commander stated that such erroneous perception is contrary to the framework in which Agunaechemba and Operation Udo Ga-Achi were formed.
“We have not sent out any of our operatives to collect money from people on the streets. The pin-down exercise is not for money making for them, but to complement other law enforcement agencies to provide security for lives and property in the state,” he said.
According to him, any member of the security outfit who goes about extorting money from people and neglecting their duty will be regarded as a criminal.
“The roads are supposed to be free for everybody in Anambra, and those who are finding it difficult with that are the criminals. If you are involved in criminal acts, we are saying that Anambra is not free for you, but if you are engaged in genuine business, the place is safe for you,” Chief Emekayi asserted.
He emphatically stated that cases involving the collection of money by the security outfit should be reported to his office for disciplinary action through the toll line, 511, or be contacted personally.
He explained that the recruitment process of the Agunaechemba and Operation Udo Ga-Achi personnel is very credible, as against the views of some critics.
He further stated that members of the security system are trained regularly and have been certified to be of good conduct before being engaged.
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