The Anambra State Police Command has stationed security personnel at schools across the state in preparation for May 30, Biafra’s Heroes Day, which the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared as a ‘sit-at-home’ day to honor their fallen heroes and heroines.
A statement released by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesman for the state police command, on Wednesday, announced the deployment of a security team named “Operatives of Schools Protection Squad.” This team, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations Department), has been deployed to maintain law and order in the state.
IPOB had reiterated that the May 30 sit-at-home exercise across southeast Nigeria would proceed as planned and had warned Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Anambra State against holding its convocation on the same day. The group designated the day for Biafra Remembrance Day to honor those of southeast extraction who died during the 1967-70 civil war.
However, the state police command stated, “The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Nnaghe Itam, has complemented the existing joint security force, which includes the Army, Navy, civil defense, and other sister agencies, to address any security concerns, particularly against criminal elements enforcing illegal sit-at-home orders in the state.
“By deploying the Operatives of Schools Protection Squad led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations Department, we aim to ensure the safety of students in the state, especially for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination on May 30, 2024, nationwide.
“The Schools Protection Squad is an initiative of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, designed to safeguard schools, students, and institutional infrastructure. The squad is equipped with relevant assets and advanced training to effectively respond to security challenges facing educational institutions.
“The deployed personnel have been instructed to intensify patrols around schools and vulnerable institutions across all locations in the state.”
Ikenga added, “For security service requests or to report any security-related incidents, call us at 07039194332 for a prompt response. The ‘npf rescue me app’ is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS for Android and iPhone users, respectively.”
Similarly, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman Henry Okoye, the Imo State Police Command announced the deployment of security personnel across the state to enforce law and order on May 30. The security personnel include operatives from the police, military, civil defense, road safety, immigration, and fire service.
The state police commissioner, CP Aboki Danjuma, urged residents to go about their daily activities and disregard the sit-at-home declaration by IPOB.