By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has rolled out a scorecard of achievements recorded within his first six months in office, declaring that the state had witnessed remarkable improvements in security and crime control.
Speaking at a press briefing in Awka, Orutugu said his tenure began amid daunting challenges, notably the escape of a suspect implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka, as well as a spate of violent crimes.
He noted that upon assumption, the Command had made a firm commitment to restore public confidence in policing, strengthen collaboration with sister agencies, and ensure that Anambra remained a safe and secure state for residents and visitors.
According to him, the Command in collaboration with other security outfits launched Operation Zero Kidnapping, a joint initiative which disrupted the activities of criminal gangs and drastically reduced abductions across the state.
Within the period, the police recovered more than 300 arms, 20 explosives, 1,000 rounds of ammunition and over 30 vehicles.
They also destroyed five criminal camps, arrested more than 200 suspects including cultists, armed robbers and separatist agitators, and secured over 100 convictions in cases ranging from sexual assault and armed robbery to kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Among the notable breakthroughs, he said, was the dramatic re-arrest of the fugitive suspect linked to Justice Azuka’s murder, which he described as proof of the Command’s determination that no perpetrator of heinous crimes would escape justice.
Orutugu also highlighted the Command’s role in conflict resolution, citing the peaceful settlement of communal disputes such as the boundary crisis between Ikenga and Isiokwe villages in Umueri and Aguleri.
He said training and orientation programmes had been organised for vigilante operatives across the state, while the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) had expanded its outreach by empowering women through skills acquisition, providing welfare for police families, and undertaking charitable initiatives to strengthen police-public relations.
He further noted that under his watch, the state successfully hosted the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and conducted a by-election without incident, while residents were now able to organise ceremonies without fear of security threats. With support from stakeholders, the Command also renovated key facilities including the Rapid Response Squad at Akwuzu, Aminchi Police Station and other formations across the state.
Orutugu disclosed that these efforts had already earned the Anambra Police Command several commendations, including Best Crime-Busting Command of the Year, awarded by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council.
While acknowledging that challenges remain, he stressed that with sustained collaboration, professionalism and community trust, Anambra would continue to be kept safe.
He commended the officers and men of the Command, sister security agencies and the people of the state for their support.
