By Praise Chinecherem
A Civil group, National Coalition on Improved Service Delivery (NACOISED) has chided Anambra State Police Command over its reaction against alleged planned protest by some groups/persons over scarcity of new naira notes.
The Coordinator of the group, Prince Chris Azor, described the reaction as ploy to unleash police brutality on innocent citizens, insisting that protest is not a crime.
The Command had said it uncovered plans by some groups of persons to take advantage of the new Naira notes scarcity to unleash violence in some parts of the State.
Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement, described the scarcity as not peculiar to Anambra State alone, warning mischief makers to shelve their planned violence or have the full weight of the law to contend with.
He said the Police, in conjunction with other security agencies, have embarked on confidence-building patrols and ensure the optimal deployment of human and operational resources towards guaranteeing safety and security in the State.
The statement reads, “The Command has described the scarcity as not peculiar to Anambra State alone and noted that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to address the situation.
“The Command hereby warns these groups/persons to shelve their planned violence or have the full weight of the law to contend with. The Police, in conjunction with other security agencies, have embarked on confidence-building patrols and ensure the optimal deployment of human and operational resources towards guaranteeing safety and security in the State.
“The Command, therefore, enjoined Anambrains and residents alike not to panic and urge the law-abiding residents/visitors of the state to go about their lawful duties without any fear of harassment or intimidation.
“In the event to request security services call us on 07039194332 or PRO 08039334002 for a prompt response. The ‘npf rescue me app’ is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and iPhone users respectively.”
But Azor insisted that the police should get involved in ensuring citizens have improved service delivery through compliance with federal government directives on availability of Naira and appropriate pricing of petroleum products and other commodities than threatening citizens with “full weight of the law.”
He called on concerned and patriotic citizens to react promptly to save the masses.
He said, “I think there’s need to call Anambra Police Command to order.
This is a ploy to unleash police brutality on innocent citizens. Is it a crime for citizens to protest?
“The Nigeria Police rather than get involved in ensuring that citizens have improved service delivery through compliance with federal government directives on availability of Naira and appropriate pricing of petroleum products and other commodities, are instead threatening citizens with “full weight of the law”
Meanwhile, the group has also called on the State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo to promptly intervene to save the Citizens following untold hardships experienced by citizens as a result of the current scarcity of Naira and hike in prices of petroleum products (fuel).
Azor, the Coordinator recalled that the outcome of CBN Naira redesign and the attendant scarcity of the local currency has been compounded by hike in prices of petroleum products, and as a result inflicting untold hardships on the citizens in Anambra State and Nigeria at large.
He remarked that in all these, the Governor and Government of Anambra State have not shown any serious concern in addressing the existential challenges faced by Citizens.
He cited the example of States like Lagos, Edo and Borno where their Governors have intervened, through palliative measures and engagement of stakeholders to cushion the excruciating effects.
“In Lagos State for instance, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, directed 50 per cent fare reduction in all State-owned transportation services, effective Thursday.
“He also gave express permission to all fuel stations operating within Lagos to commence 24-hour operations to allow residents buy fuel without having to stay in queues for hours.
“The Governor equally announced establishment of food banks in various parts of the State for distribution of food items to vulnerable families hit by the lingering crisis. In Borno, the Governor Zulum ordered the Banks to start dispensing cash to citizens or risk losing their property titles” he said.
The human rights advocate who doubles as Non State Actors’ Co-chair, Open Government Partnership (OGP) implored the the State Government to without further delay, commence implementation of Social Protection Programmes in the State.
According to him, with the obvious abject poverty and destitution confronting the masses, onboarding of social security initiatives has no better time to start than now.
