The Anambra State Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have commenced the first phase of a comprehensive security and safety assessment across strategic locations in the state ahead of the planned visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and other high-profile dignitaries to Anambra.
This was contained in separate press statements issued on Monday by the Spokesman, Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga and Head, Media and Tactical Operations, NSCDC, Anambra State Command, Edwin Okadigbo.
The police said the exercise is part of the Command’s proactive, intelligence-led security strategy to identify potential vulnerabilities, validate existing security arrangements and reinforce operational readiness around designated venues, major access routes, critical infrastructure and other strategic locations.
Ikenga added that the assessment focuses on threat identification, intelligence coordination, access and movement control, strategic deployment, traffic management, emergency response capability and protection of lives and property.
The statement read in part, “The security and safety assessment is being conducted through enhanced inter-agency coordination to ensure a seamless and unified security architecture before, during and after the visit.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, has directed all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to undertake comprehensive assessments within their respective Areas of Responsibility and immediately address identified security gaps.
“The CP further directed all personnel deployed for the assignment to maintain maximum vigilance, operational discipline and professionalism, while remaining courteous and responsive to members of the public.”
According to Ikenga, the CP emphasised that all operations must be conducted within the framework of the law and with full respect for fundamental human rights.
“The Commissioner assures the public that the Command, working closely with sister security and safety agencies, has commenced necessary measures to ensure a secure, orderly and incident-free environment throughout the period of the visit.
“He therefore calls on residents, motorists, business owners, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with security personnel, comply with lawful directives and promptly provide credible information on suspicious persons, movements or activities that may threaten public safety.
“The Command will continue to sustain heightened security posture and operational readiness before, during and after the visit,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a statement also quoted the Head, Media and Tactical Operations
NSCDC, Anambra State Command, Edwin Okadigbo, as saying that in preparation for the forthcoming visit of the First Lady, service commanders of all security agencies in the State held a strategic security operational plans harmonization meeting on Sunday.
Okadigbo said the meeting, attended by NSCDC state Commandant, Maku Olatunde, was convened to harmonise operational arrangements and ensure a hitch-free visit.
He said, “Key issues deliberated upon include inter-agency synergy for effective crowd control, traffic management, and VIP protection; deployment plans for personnel across all venues; intelligence gathering and threat assessment within the metropolis; as well as logistics and communication channels among security agencies.