Anambra Government, DSS and security stakeholders have led a 300-person rally against terrorism, urging residents to unite, share intelligence and protect peace in the state.
The Department of State Services (DSS), in collaboration with the Anambra State Government and other stakeholders, has staged a solidarity road show to mobilise public support against terrorism and insecurity in the state.
The rally, held on Saturday, attracted no fewer than 300 participants and was organised under the theme, “Unite Against Terror.”
The procession began at the DSS State Headquarters in Amawbia, moved through Zik’s Avenue and ended at Anambra Tower near the new Government House.
The march was led by the DSS Director in Anambra, Chucks Anukposi, alongside members of the agency’s top management.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, who led the state government delegation, described the rally as a demonstration of the people’s collective resolve to confront terrorism.
Mefor said Anambra residents had resolved to unite against terrorism in all its forms, expressing concern that a threat once considered unfamiliar to the state was increasingly affecting the social fabric.
“We must say no to terror and united, we will defeat terrorism. Regardless of the guise, terror is terror,” he said.
The commissioner urged other states to join the campaign, stressing that peace was essential for economic growth and development.
“We need peace because without peace, there will be no development,” Mefor said.
He also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities, noting that credible information could attract a reward of up to ₦5 million.
A civil rights activist and Convener of the Recovery Nigeria Project, Osita Obi, said maintaining peace and security was a collective responsibility.
Obi specifically called on tricycle operators to use their extensive reach within communities to assist security agencies through intelligence gathering and information sharing.
“Security agencies cannot do it alone, they need our cooperation to do their job effectively,” he said.
The Director of Operations of Agunechemba Security, Chief Chinenye Ihenko, expressed the outfit’s support for the DSS campaign against terrorism and insecurity.
Ihenko said the security outfit would continue to complement Federal security agencies through personnel deployment and intelligence sharing to help keep Anambra safe and secure.
He said the objective was consistent with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of maintaining a safe and livable state.
Ihenko, however, acknowledged complaints concerning alleged high-handedness and abuse by some personnel of the security outfit.
He assured residents that the management was taking internal measures to address such complaints.
Several government and security institutions participated in the rally, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA, Heads of Federal Establishments, the Red Cross, Anambra Bus Drivers Forum and the Tricycle Riders Forum.
The broad participation underscored the organisers’ call for stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, community groups and residents in the fight against terrorism and insecurity.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
