CRIME SURGE WORRIES ANAMBRA VIGILANCE GROUPS

By Vincent Ujumadu
AWKA - THE leadership of the over 500 vigilante groups in Anambra State has expressed worry over the increasing crime wave in the state.

At a joint meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Murhtari Ibrahim, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the state, the Chairman of Anambra Vigilance Service, AVS, Mr. Patrick Anyaegbu, said the meeting with the police became necessary because the people were no longer comfortable with the re-emergence of the problem of kidnapping and armed robbery, especially since the end of the general elections in the country.

Some prominent people, including the traditional ruler of Ihembosi in Ekwusigo Local Govern-ment Area, were kidnapped in recent times, sending fears down the spine of many people that the menace had returned.

According to Anyaegbu, the relative peace and security enjoyed by the people for some time have been punctuated by the activities of the hoodlums.

He urged all the vigilance groups to return to their areas of operation and map out a holistic approach on how to deal with the resurgence.

Anyaegbu said: 'We must do everything possible to chase the criminals out of the state so that Anambra people, known for their vibrant economic activities, will  go about their normal businesses in an atmosphere of security devoid of harassment by criminals.'

He promised that the groups will assist the police to flush out the criminals, if the members remained focused on their duties.