By Ovat Abeng
The Director of Special Anambra Anti-Touting Squad (SASA), Hon Solomon Chukwuebuka Onwuemene, has given elimination of all forms criminal activities like one chance robbery, drug abuse, handbags snatching, illegal extortion of traders and other crime as reasons why governor Charles Soludo established anti-touting squad in the state.
Hon Onwuemene who disclosed this while briefing Journalists in his office in Awka, on Tuesday, said since the unveiling of the unit, reports of illegal extortion, one chance robbery and handbags snatching and other criminal incidents has reduced to fifteen percent across markets in the state, particularly, Onitsha and its environ.
According to him, the current administration of governor Soludo has reiterated his resolve to end touting and make movements and commercial activities pleasurable experience across streets, roads and markets in the state.
The launching of the Squad is to ensure zero touting in the State.
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“Soludo is determined to restore law and order in Anambra especially Onitsha and its environ.
The squad is an acceleration on the key promise the governor made to the people living in the greater Onitsha area, which consists of Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru, Oyi and Idemili to restore Anambra State known for law and order to its full glory as the Light of the Nation.
“Touting has affected the growth and development of Onitsha negatively, hence the establishment of the unit to end the menace.
“The agenda is to rejuvenate the values Anambra was known for.
“Administration of governor Soludo has provided great opportunities for the youths, especially, the ongoing “One Youth, Two Skills Empowerment Programme that have lifted over five thousand youths from the streets within two years in office and it will continued.
“Establishing the Squad at the den of touts in the state, particularly in Upper Iweka, Onitsha is indeed a great idea whose time has come.”
The SASA boss while assuring the squad continuous collaboration with other security agencies to sustained a peaceful environment in the state, appeal to those still involving in touting and criminality to key into the state government empowerment programs to become useful to the society, their families and themselves.
He also appeal to residents to continue to pray for the governor to enable him actualized his vision of making Anambra a livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.
The Paradise News gathered that the Squad is a unit attached to the State Ministry of Homeland Affairs.