The youth wing of the Ohaneze Ndigbo General Assembly has solicited partnership with the military and the Federal Road Safety Commission authorities, to stem the tide of insecurity and road crashes in the South East in general, and Anambra State in particular.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, recently, the Chairman Youth Committee of the apex Igbo socio cultural organization, Prince Nnamso Nwafir Orizu, said that insecurity in the South East, and Anambra State in particular, would not be left in the hands of security agencies alone.
"Anambra State has put much energy and resources into security; a development that has earned the state much commendations. The state did not achieve the feat alone but in collaboration with security agencies such as the military. But the recent security issues in the state has necessitated a collaboration, not only among security agencies, but also with relevant stakeholders, such as the Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing," he said.
While commiserating with the military authorities for the recent loss of some of their officers in Anambra, Nwafor Orizu added: "We commend the efforts of the military in securing our territorial integrity. In whatever way our collaboration will be needed in ensuring that our environment is safe, we shall do it," he said.
Responding, the Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Onitsha, Col Abudulsalam Sambo, thanked the group for their solidarity, and promised to work with any interested group to ensure that the society is secured and crime free; saying that with cooperation in crime fighting, peace would be restored.
"Majority of crimes and criminal elements in our society are facilitated by youths; but with the cooperation and intelligence, we shall overcome. Ohaneze Ndigbo should sensitize other youths in Anambra and South East in general on the need to maintain crime free and peaceful society," he said.
At the FRSC headquarters, Awka, the state capital, the Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing also sought collaboration of the agency in maintaining safety on the road.
Nwafor Orizu, who decried the menace of tricycle operators in Anambra State in particular, urged the Commission to work with the youth wing of the Ohaneze in sensitising the general public, especially vehicle operators, on the rules and regulations of road use.
In his response, the Commander of the FRSC in Anambra, Corp Commander Andrew Kumapayi, appreciated the group for its resolve to work with FRSC to maintain safety on the road.
He said: "Anambra is a very strategic state. It is a metropolitan state, where all manner of people come in and go out. It is a transit state linking so many states. Thus, the volume of human and vehicular movement is much; making it difficult for FRSC to handle alone," he said.
Nwafor Orizu was accompanied by other executive members of the Anambra State Chapter of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, youth wing.