Communal Crisis: Six AIG’s storm Anambra on peace advocacy as Police hierarchy meets with community leaders

www.odogwublog.com reports exclusively that the Police Committee on Prevention and management of Communal clashes/crises comprising Six Assistant Inspectors-General of Police representing the Six Geopolitical Zones in the Country, were on an advocacy visit to Anambra state weekend. 

They held a town hall meeting at the Women’s Development Center, Awka as witnessed by Stakeholders including leaders and representatives of the various Communities affected by conflicts and boundary disputes. They were brought to an interface to air their grievances.

The Chairman of the Police Committee and AIG in-Charge of Zone"8", Lokoja, Mr Christopher Dega explained that the Committee was inaugurated in November last year by the Inspector-General of Police as an interventionist measure to the traditional measures which the Police is using to battle Communal Conflicts in response to the spate of Communal clashes in the Country.

He said the need for communities in the state to embrace dialogue and reconciliation in the resolution of boundary and communal disputes was the crux of deliberations for the town hall meeting.

 Addressing the Forum, the State Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke who is also the Chairman, State Boundary Commission said the present state administration is aggressively pursuing peace and security in all parts of the State as a prerequisite for the State transformation. 

 Describing disputes as issues that are bound to arise in day-to-day interactions among people, Dr Okeke advocated tolerance and respect for one another's views as a sure way to avoid crisis. He assured that the State Government will avail the Committee every support it requires to achieve its mandate in the State.  

On his part, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hassan Karma noted that the essence of the visit was to sensitize the Stakeholders on how to be proactive in averting the outbreak of crises, as the State remains a peaceful one.  

 Some representatives of the Communities that have boundary and communal disputes, among whom were the traditional ruler of Ukwala in Anambra West Council Area, Igwe Joseph Agodo and Mr Vincent Oyilagu from Ukpo, commended the initiative by the IGP, which they noted , has the potential to forestall violence and ensure stability especially at the rural parts of the state.  

 The Police Committee is also expected to further receive memoranda on the conflict situations from the affected Communities, as part of measures towards understanding and resolving the various conflicts ravaging the Communities.