Anambra Vigilance Group (A.V. G) on Sunday called on residents of the state to be at Red Alert over alleged influx of strangers into the state.
Chairman of Anambra Vigilante supervisory committee, Onwa Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba gave the warning in a statement, saying though the rumour has not been confirmed, the public needed to be “more Vigilance especially in this Ember Months”.
The statement partly read, “A.V.G. wishes to inform the general public about the need for heightened vigilance in all parts of the state. A suspicious but unconfirmed mass movement of stranger elements purported to be Northerners was reported around Amawbia, Agulu, Nise, Neni and Adazi axis.
“A.V.G. operatives in these areas are now on red alert to verify and confirm this report. A.V.G. operatives in the 179 communities are hereby put on alert. They are advised to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force and sister security agencies to secure their areas from now till the end of the year.
“rimes seem to experience upsurge in the period before the Yuletide and New Year celebrations but that A.V.G. over the years beef up security in their areas.
According to Aduba, said such measures were to ensure that Anambra remains one of the day states in Nigeria and foreign/local investment friendly.
He advised that the road traffic authorities namely Anambra State Traffic Agency (ASTA), the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Police and Ocha Brigade should curb the use motorbikes to flood stranger elements into the state as the use of Okada in urban centres and carrying more than one person had been outlawed.
He also reminded that it is against the Land Use Act for any individual to sell land, especially to cattle rearers or stranger elements without obtaining permission from the State Government first and foremost.
He added: “This warning is being repeated to forestall nomadic migrant herders from settling in our forests which is equally under surveillance by A.V.G. Intelligence Unit.
“All A.V.G. Senior Zonal Supervisors, Commanders and Chairmen must work together with their Traditional Rulers and President Generals so that Anambra state remains number one in terms of security of lives and property especially in these “Ember Months”.
Aduba said the leaders of Northern elements in the state namely Miyetti
Allah have reassured that the alarm about a new influx of their people into the state is unfounded and should be totally disregarded.
“Not withstanding this, however, everybody in the state must be vigilant during this period and supply genuine information to A.V.G. On the other hand, those raising false alarm and creating unnecessary tension in the state should desist from such unpatriotic act forthwith,” he concluded.
