Anambra: CP Tony Olofu Loses Job To CP Echeng As IGP Deploys Police Special Forces

By Charles Igbo

The worsening security situation in Anambra State has cost Commissioner of Police Tony Olofu his job. In his place, the Inspector General of Of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has named CP Echeng Eworo Echeng. He has, also, deployed Police Special Forces to help “bolster Operation Restore Peace.

Olofu, the former CP, has been redeployed to the Force Headquarters.

The security situation in the Anambra has so degenerated in the past few days that  it has defied every move, and overwhelmed Security Agencies. Aside from the killings of innocent people, there has been gruesome murders of high profile individuals, including Dr Chike Akunyili, husband to former NAFDAC Director General and former Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili.

Security facilities have been torched, including that of the Directorate of State Services, the Police and even Federal Road Service Commission. And so have homes, including the Nnewi country home  of Joe Igbokwe, an APC chieftain, Special Adviser on Water and Drainages to Lagos State Government and offices of Political parties.

The Anambra Governorship election is on November 6, but nobody is campaigning out of fear. Party vehicles, or any vehicle with any political party insignia is razed, and so are party offices. The chorus is no election in Anambra State.

The blame is put at the feet of “unknown gunmen”. Some others say IPOB/ESN. But IPOB/ESN has consistently denied responsibility. And the State is on edge·

It is based on this helpless situation that  IGP Baba ordered the immediate posting of a new Commissioner of Police (CP) to Anambra State. In a Press Release, Force Spokesperson,  CP Frank Mba, said

“The new CP, Echeng Eworo Echeng, takes over from CP Tony Olofu who has been redeployed to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

“The IGP has also ordered the deployment of a detachment of NPF Special Forces to Anambra State to bolster and complement the ongoing peace-building efforts of the Nigeria Police Operation Restore Peace in Anambra State.

“The IGP, who is particularly concerned with the renewed incidents of attacks on innocent individuals and symbol of State Authority in the State, ordered the new Commissioner of Police to mobilize both kinetic and non-kinetic law enforcement and crime fighting approaches to reverse the negative trend, reclaim public spaces from hoodlums and restore public peace in the State.

“CP Echeng, who until his recent posting, was the Commissioner of Police in-charge of Bayelsa State, holds a First Degree in History from the University of Maiduguri. An experienced peace-builder, he received extensive training on global peace support operations at Mission Training Cell, Kielce, Poland, amongst other tactical and leadership courses. He has also served as a former Police Component Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Zonal CID, Zone-13, Ukpo, Anambra State, amongst other key positions.

“The IGP has charged the new Police Chief to work with other Stakeholders and patriotic forces in Anambra State to restore law and order leveraging on his professional experience. The IGP also called on Ndi-Anambra to support and cooperate with the new Commissioner of Police in his task of protecting the lives and property of all.”

The  postings are with immediate effect.

In another development, Owerri, the capital of Imo State was on fire on Monday as gunmen invaded the Imo State University, the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, markets including the ones in Owerri Municipal LGA, and two in Emekuku, Owerri North LGA. They also attacked nearby towns like Irete, Amakohia and generally streets in Owerri.

They shot their guns and said their action was a warning to ask them to maintain strictly the sit-at-home order.

IPOB had initially ordered a sit-at-home order every Monday to pressurise the Federal Government to release its Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is under FG’s custody and being prosecuted on sundry issues including ,allegedly, murder and treasonable felony.

Recently, it said the South-east shall be on lockdown for one month if the Federal Government fails to arraign him in Court on October 21, the next adjourned date.