A prominent Anambra citizen and Awka stakeholder, Chief Celestine Okoye, has clarified the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing him carrying an AK-47 rifle into a public function.
Okoye, a retired Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in the Nigeria Police Force, explained that the rifle belonged to a police officer who escorted him to the event and had to leave it with him due to a sudden illness.
He denied allegations of wrongdoing, stating that he was simply holding the gun for the officer and didn’t know he was being recorded.
Okoye also expressed concern about the high rate of insecurity and crimes in Awka, citing cases of kidnapping, cultism, and armed robbery. He blamed the government, security agencies, and parents for not doing enough to address the issue.
The retired DIG also criticized the politicization of security issues in Anambra State and recalled how his offer to meet with Governor Chukwuma Soludo to discuss the security situation was turned down.
Okoye recommended practical intelligence policing and community policing initiatives to tackle the rising criminal activities in the state.
