Journalists in Anambra have decried the spate of killings and continued existence of criminal activities in different communities in the State.
The feelings were expressed during March 2022 ‘Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra state Council’ sponsored by Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone FAS at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka.
Journalists at the event expressed concern over the relative ease with which crimes and killings are perpetrated in the state, noting that there had never been à case where the perpetrators of the dastardly acts were apprehended for prosecution by security forces in the State.
The media practitioners recalled that no fewer than 16 lives were lost penultimate week at a burial ceremony in Ebenebe, Awka North, which came on the heels of killings and shootings at Oko, Ekwulobia and other suburb towns in the state.
They however called for proactive approach rather than reactionary approach from the security agencies in the state and tasked residents to wake up in their various capacities to help tame the monstrous threat to the society.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng urged journalists to live for one another as well as see the police as partner in the service to humanity.
Echeng who was represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, maintained that the police in the state remained resolute in its fight against crime and criminality in the state. He stressed that the police will not rest until the perpetrators of crimes in the state are arrested and prosecuted.
Speaking at the brainstorming session, the Sponsor of the 2022 March Congress of the NUJ and Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS, described journalists as important components of the society, noting that the UNIZIK’s partnership with the men of the fourth estate of the realm has had a veritable influence in the success of his administration.
