Recently
the South-East Governors’ Forum, in a meeting with stakeholders and the
Inspector General of Police, resolved to commence community policing and
in Anambra State, government and traditional rulers are concluding
arrangements for its implementation. The Special Adviser to the Governor
on Community and Chieftaincy Matters, Barr. Vera Okonkwo, speaks with OKEY MADUFORO on the journey so far:
A lot of claims and counter-claims
have followed the faceoff between the Fulani Herdsmen and farmers in
some communities in Anambra State. How has the matter been managed?
Anambra State is the most peaceful state in the South-East
when it comes to security of lives and property and this is as a result
of the proactive actions of our governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
When it became a challenge the governor set up a committee
known as Farmers’ Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee which is
headed by the Commissioner of Police and members are drawn from all the
security bodies and leaders of the respective communities as well as the
herdsmen.
The governor also directed that every President-General of
the communities should also form similarly committees and that any
stranger or herdsmen that comes to settle in the community should
identify himself and his people with the community leaders so that they
know those that are staying with them.
We also put in place measures towards settling the losses
from both sides: that is farmers and the herdsmen and ever since the
horror stories about farmers and herdsmen clashing has been a thing of
the past. This harmonious relationship between the natives and their
visitors is rubbing off positively on the peace in the state.
Recently, a group in Ayamelum Local
Government Area claimed that their cows were killed and four of their
men also killed? What is your view about this?
The story is unfounded and I challenge those saying that
to give me evidence. You cannot slaughter cows en-mass without people
knowing and in which of the communities?
People peddle rumors to create a situation of insecurity
in the state just to claim that Anambra is not safe. The story is coming
from the opposition and if it happened the President General of the
community will definitely know about it and the herdsmen making such
claims. We enjoy harmonious relationship with our visitors and the
respective leaders can tell you that and the governor has continued to
sustain that peace.
The South-East Governors’ Forum has introduced community policing. How far are you working out the modalities?
We have resolved in the last meeting with the Anambra
State Traditional Rulers Council that we shall start with the vigilance
groups to execute the project and the royal fathers themselves also
agreed with the state government when the Commissioner for Local
government and Chieftaincy Matters met with them recently.
Though with time we shall also inject new blood into the
security formation, for now we are drafting at least 50 men into each of
the communities from the vigilance groups because they already know the
terrain and they are doing the same work of policing our communities.
Security of life and property though is the job of the
security personnel alone, everybody must be involved in the project and
that is the only way to assist the security personnel in discharging
their duties creditably.
The Nigerian Police is also involved in this like the
respective Divisional Police Officers in the rural areas. We cannot do
without the police at this stage because they are also partners in this
venture.
There have been incidents of crisis
in most communities in the state over who becomes the President General
or the traditional ruler and the state government is being blamed for
this development…
The communities have constitution that is guiding them in
the election of Traditional Rulers and President and what we do is to
follow the constitution.
In areas where there is rotation of power we allow the
community to do the needful and our duty is that observe and ensure that
the process is peaceful free and fair without crisis.
But in a situation where we encounter problems we set up
Care taker Committee to serve over a period of time and the conduct
election of a substantive Traditional Ruler or President General.
We have been able to resolve so many community crisis
through this process and some times we invite the parties involved so
that we can settle the matter peacefully.
Only those who don’t want peace or those gaining from the
crisis would accuse government because their source of income has been
stopped.
Last time you witnessed the handing over of certificate of
recognition to the traditional rulers of Isulo and Mkpologwu by the
governor himself. Some have been without a traditional ruler for about
10 years and today it over and we will not relent in ensuring peace in
our communities.
Source: New Telegragh
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