Police can’t force residents to shun sit-at-home – Anambra CP
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, has disclosed that it is their mandate as security agencies to provide adequate security for the people but it is the people who have the prerogative to decide whether to sit at home or not.
Adeoye disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the state police headquarters, on Wednesday, in reaction to the statement of the self acclaimed Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa that there would be a lockdown of the South East for two weeks from July 31, 2023.
The Commissioner of Police stated that the police have no business with people who prefer to sit at home when they are supposed to be working to earn their living.
Adeoye lamented that it was quite unfortunate that people now work for four days in a week, but get salary for five days.
The Anambra CP said, “From the point of law enforcement, sit at home is an illegal affair. Those making the declaration for the sit at home belong to an organization which competent courts have described as illegal.
“Our duty as security agencies is to provide adequate security for the people to the best of our ability. But it is the people who have the prerogative to decide whether to sit at home or not.
” We cannot enter anybody’s house to drag him out because if we do that, we will be infringing on the person’s fundamental human rights since he has freedom of choice.
” In spite of the action of security operatives, some people support the sit at home, which is rooted in the agitation for a separatist enclave called Biafra. “Those who work for four days see Mondays as extra holiday. As long as we are able to protect those doing their businesses, we have no business with those who prefer to sit at home.”
Vowing to be ruthless with criminals in the state, Adeoye stressed that the command would collaborate with other states in the South East to secure the zone.
He said, “We are not in the habit of telling criminals to relocate from the state. We will not create problems for neighbouring states by asking criminals in Anambra to relocate to other states because we have all it takes to deal with them here in Anambra State and we will deal with them squarely, unless they turn a new leaf.
“We have no delight in seeing people lose their lives, but if that is what it takes to protect the people of Anambra State, we will not stop to achieve the mandate given to us by the Inspector General of Police”.
He, however, hailed the Anambra State government for creating a social avenue to empower the youths and other persons in the state to reduce crimes.
