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By Madu Obi
The Anambra State Police command has beefed up security in Awka, the state capital, following reports that the community's annual ImoAwka festival which begins on Tuesday (28/5/2024), might lead to a breakdown of law and order.
Previous ImoAwka festivals had led to loss of lives and property as a result of brutal actions of the masquerades against the residents.
At a meeting with Awka stakeholders on Monday, the state Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam said he was concerned that the festival of such magnitude has not formally been brought to the notice of the police command this year.
Those invited by the CP to the meeting, which took place in his office, were the organizers of the cultural festival comprising the speaker for the traditional ruler of Awka Community, the palace secretary of Eze Ezu, the youth leader, and other stakeholders in Awka.
During the meeting, CP Itam warned those he described as criminal elements whose intentions are to hide under this guise to commit a crime, to desist forthwith because the law would take its course.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement after the meeting said: "Following the information received overtime on how miscreants under the guise of celebration of the ImoAwka festival become unruly and make life unbearable for the people of the state, especially residents and indigenes of Awka, the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has reiterated the command's commitment in enforcing the law and ensuring public safety.
He has encouraged residents alike, especially the Awka indigenes, to be law-abiding, vigilant, and security-conscious at all times.
The CP has also directed the deployment of officers to intensify confidence-building and crime prevention patrols in some identified areas in Awka."
He said although the community did not inform the command of the preparation for the festival, the CP has urged the people to work with the Police to make sure the celebration goes hitch-free.
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