By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Security agencies in Anambra State have commenced a comprehensive security assessment across strategic locations in the state ahead of the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other high-profile dignitaries on Thursday.
The Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with sister security and safety agencies, began the first phase of the assessment on Monday, September 7, as part of measures to strengthen security arrangements ahead of the visit.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, in which he noted that the exercise was part of the Command’s proactive and intelligence-led approach to security, aimed at identifying possible vulnerabilities, reviewing existing arrangements and ensuring operational readiness around venues and other strategic locations that may be affected by the visit.
According to the statement, the assessment covers designated venues, major access routes, critical infrastructure and other strategic locations across the state.
The assessment, SP Ikenga said, also focused on threat identification, intelligence sharing and coordination, access and movement control, strategic deployment of personnel, traffic management, emergency response capabilities and protection of lives and property.
The police spokesman said the exercise was being conducted through enhanced inter-agency coordination to ensure a unified security arrangement before, during and after the visit.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, according to Ikenga, has directed Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to conduct comprehensive security assessments within their respective areas of responsibility.
The police boss also ordered the commanders to immediately address any security gaps identified during the assessment.
He further directed personnel deployed for the assignment to maintain maximum vigilance, operational discipline and professionalism, while remaining courteous and responsive to members of the public.
According to the statement, the CP emphasised that all security operations must remain within the ambit of the law and respect the fundamental human rights of residents.
The Command assured residents that, working with other security and safety agencies, it had commenced the necessary measures to ensure a secure, orderly and incident-free environment throughout the period of the visit.
The police also appealed to residents, motorists, business owners, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with security personnel and comply with lawful directives during the exercise.
Ikenga urged members of the public to promptly provide credible information about suspicious persons, movements or activities capable of threatening public safety.
“The Command will continue to sustain heightened security posture and operational readiness before, during and after the visit,” the police spokesman concluded.
The heightened security measures come ahead of Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Anambra on Thursday, September 10, which will be her first official visit to the state since assuming office as First Lady of Nigeria.
According to reports on the planned visit, one of its major highlights will be the empowerment of 5,000 people under the Progressives United Against Poverty Initiative, in partnership with the Anambra State Government and the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Support Scheme.
The First Lady is also expected to launch the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East geopolitical zone in Anambra, an intervention under the Renewed Hope Initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable households and strengthening food security.
Her itinerary is also expected to include a visit to the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where she will commission key projects at the institution.
With the visit expected to attract large crowds of beneficiaries, government officials, community leaders and other stakeholders, the police and other security agencies have commenced preparations several days ahead of the event to minimise security and traffic challenges and ensure smooth movement during the activities.
