Anambra Bolsters Security Ahead of May 30 Sit-at-Home Biafra Day: Police, Military Take Over Strategic Zones

 

As tension rises across the South-East ahead of the May 30 sit-at-home directive issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), security has been significantly ramped up in Anambra State. A robust deployment of personnel from various arms of the Nigerian security architecture is now firmly in place to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

The sit-at-home order, declared by IPOB to commemorate those who died during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970, is drawing concern from both the public and government quarters. Though IPOB has framed the day as a solemn remembrance of fallen heroes, security agencies have warned against allowing the directive to be hijacked by criminal elements seeking to destabilize the state.

Authorities in Anambra have not taken the warning lightly. Acting on the resolution from a high-level security meeting held behind closed doors, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, sanctioned an all-encompassing security operation to guard critical infrastructure and public spaces throughout the state.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the command has launched extensive patrol operations. These deployments include joint forces drawn from the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as the Nigerian Army and Navy.

Security operatives are now stationed across major junctions and key installations in cities like Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, and Oraifite. Their presence is meant to serve not just as a deterrent to potential agitators but also as a reassurance to residents and businesses operating within the state.

Police say the coordinated approach underscores the firm resolve of security agencies to combat any attempt to disrupt public peace. SP Ikenga pointed to a recent surge in morale among officers, a boost he attributed to the unwavering support of the citizens of Anambra.

The people, according to him, have stood in solidarity with the state’s security mission, publicly rejecting the sit-at-home order and calling for continued peace and normalcy. This community support, he emphasized, has energized the security apparatus to act swiftly and decisively.

“The outcome of the recent closed-door meeting of the Anambra Security Service Commanders has further reinforced our commitment,” SP Ikenga said. “The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, acknowledges the vital role the people of Anambra have played in resisting narratives that threaten our national peace.”

He noted that this spirit of cooperation has given security agencies the added drive to perform their duties more effectively, working in partnership with local communities to thwart threats before they manifest.

Beyond presence on the ground, the Police Command is also emphasizing accessibility. Residents have been urged to reach out swiftly if they observe any suspicious activity or require assistance. The command control room can be reached via 07039194332, while the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) can be contacted directly on 08039334002. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to connect with their area commanders and divisional police officers to report concerns or incidents in real-time.

With this multi-layered security strategy in motion, Anambra appears determined not to be caught unprepared. The authorities are sending a clear message: while citizens are free to honor their history, any effort to use remembrance as a pretext for violence or intimidation will be decisively dealt with.

The evolving situation places Anambra at the center of a broader security narrative unfolding across the South-East. Other states in the region are also expected to heighten surveillance and enforcement measures as May 30 approaches. But for now, Anambra’s strategy — rooted in inter-agency collaboration, proactive planning, and community engagement — offers a template for how states might respond to similar security threats without resorting to fear or heavy-handedness.

What unfolds on May 30 will ultimately test the resilience of these security measures and the unity of the people they aim to protect.