The Anambra State Police Command has issued a heightened security alert to residents as the Ember Months — a period historically marked by increased commercial activity and elevated crime risks — intensify across the state.
In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu (fwc, minps, PhD), assured Ndi Anambra that the Command is “fully committed to ensuring the safety, peace, and security of all residents throughout this period and beyond.”
According to the CP, the months of September to December typically witness increased movement of people and goods, heightened festivities, and a corresponding rise in opportunistic criminal activities. To counter this, the Police Command has intensified visibility policing, highway patrols, stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-led raids on criminal hideouts. Joint security deployments are also active in markets, public places, religious centres, and key transit points.
“We want Ndi Anambra to stay vigilant and security-conscious as year-end activities peak,” the CP advised. “Security is a shared responsibility.”
He urged residents to:
- Remain alert and aware of their surroundings
- Avoid unnecessary late-night travel
- Secure their homes, shops, and business premises
- Report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station
- Strengthen community security networks in partnership with law enforcement
The Command also issued a strong warning to motorists against reckless driving, over-speeding, drunk driving, and traffic rule violations, noting that road accidents spike during the festive season. Residents were encouraged to service their vehicles, obey traffic officers, and limit night journeys.
Additionally, the police cautioned the public to be wary of online fraud, fake job offers, investment scams, and identity theft — all of which tend to increase toward the end of the year. “Verify before you trust,” the Command emphasized.
Reassuring the public of accountability within the security system, the CP reaffirmed his readiness to address complaints about police misconduct and encouraged residents to provide intelligence or request assistance through the Command’s emergency hotlines:
- Control Room: 07039194332
- CP Monitoring Unit: 08035893571
- X-Squad: 07053614331
- Anti-Fraud/Intelligence: 08064018319
- PPRO: 08039334002
Issuing a final warning to criminal elements, the Command declared:
“The Anambra State Police Command will not tolerate any form of criminal activity during this season. Anyone planning to exploit the festivities for crime should desist immediately, as the full weight of the law awaits offenders.”
