Governor Willie Obiano of the south east Nigerian state of Anambra has identified his state, Delta and others states in the South-East geo-political zone, as an axis of violent crime, kidnapping and armed robbery.
Obiano who spoke today at a security summit in Awka said the crime rate has kept the residents in perpetual fear and driven businesses out of the region.
He said there was need to forge regional economic front as well as combined counter force against crime, adding that governments in the region were battling a common enemy.
His suggestion on what needs to be done was warmly received by the Inspector-general of Police, Solomon AraseThe Police will collaborate with the governments of the South-East zone and Delta to curb armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other social vices, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has said.
Arase made the pledge on Saturday in Awka at a South-East/Delta state Security Conference 2015 with the theme “Security, Bedrock of Governance.’’
He said that crime syndicates operate in highly organised networks within the area.
He expressed confidence that the conference would identify ways to replicate the successful security concept being employed in other climes.
He called for sustainable regional security framework, joint operation, funding and the political will by the various levels of government within region to make the approach work.
Arase commended Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra for organising the conference.
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, called on investors from the region to come home and create jobs to reduce the prevalent crime in the area.
The conference, which also featured interactive sessions, saw stakeholders baring their minds on ways to combat crime in the zone and in Delta.