Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has declared full blown war against touting in the state, saying days of touts in the state were numbered.
He challenged Chairman of markets in the state to take responsibility of their various domains, warning that any market touts were still operating would be disbanded and Chairmen removed from office.
Speaking on Monday in Onitsha during the launching of the Anambra Special Anti-Touting Squad, Soludo however noted that bringing back law and order would be difficult in an environment where lawlessness has become a culture.
He congratulated members of the squad who have been found worthy and offered to serve, calling for commitment, passion, and diligence.
He also advised them to adhere to laid down standards and the code of conduct guiding their operation.
According to him, members of the squad would collaborate with the Nigerian Armed Forces who have the primary responsibility to keep the State safe.
He said, “The launch of the squad is an acceleration on the key promise I made to the people living in the greater Onitsha area which consists Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru, Oyi, and Idemili to restore Anambra state known for law and order back to its full glory as the Light of the nation
“When we assumed office, 8 local governments were taken over. Thanks to the combined efforts of our security agencies and the vigilante service with the support of those local government areas have been liberated and normalcy restored.
“We have told the youths to come out from their hideouts and the bush. We shall help to rehabilitate and integrate them into society to be useful to their families, communities, states, and nations.
“While dealing with hoodlums on a larger scale, we will be dealing with touts in Onitsha greater area and Anambra State as a whole.
“We are fighting a war to bring back the soul of our society governed by law and order not a society anyone does what he or she likes arbitrarily without recourse to law and order.
“Touts disturb customers who come from every nook and cranny of the country. But this journey is to rescue Onitsha as a commercial hub and Anambra State in general.
“Phone numbers shall be made available to ndi Anambra to inform the government of any touting activities they notice in the area.”
The governor called on citizens to always remember the campaign of “if you see something, you say something”
Earlier, Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chief Chikodiri Anara described the the launch of the Special Anti-Touting Squad as the beginning of the journey.
He assured the Governor that positive changes would be noticed by December as the men of the squad were well trained.
He warned hoodlums causing trouble in the state to leave the state, as they would not find it comfortable to operate in the state moving forward.
