…demands increase in salary, equipping of operatives
Amidst increasing security lapses in Anambra State, where there has been a resurgence of kidnapping and unwholesome criminal activities of Unknown Gun Men (UGM) of late, a group under the aegis of Anambra Security Network (ASN) has decried the poor treatment of operatives of the Anambra Vigilant Group (AVG).
In a statement signed by President of ASN, Col. Jude Obi Rtd, the group called on the Anambra State Government and wealthy Anambrarians to encourage the members of AVG by paying them good salaries.
The group also said that currently AVG operatives are paid N100,000 each, which they claimed is extremely too small, considering the harsh economic situation of the country and the risk associated with their job.
The group said that AVG operstives ‘ salary should be increased to N200,000 to N300,000 each or more so that it can go a long way to ameliorate the prevailing economic hardship, saying that N100, 000 cannot buy anything now including a bag of rice.
The group also called for the equipping of the security outfits with new operational vehicles since most of the ones they are now using are obsolete and have been damaged by tear and wear.
The Security Network said that AVG has been doing a lot in containing high-profile crime in the State and most of them have lost their lives to encourage them to do more they should be provided with necessary materials such as arms and ammunition.
The government should provide incentives and platforms for insurance to protect them in the case of death or fatal lacerated injuries.
The group also called for the retraining of the AVG operatives for efficient and effective operation, saying that those of them working hard to catch criminals and recover arms and ammunition should be compensated as a way of encouraging them to do more and warned that if on or before October 2024, their monthly salary were not reviewed upwards, they will embark on withdrawal protests to attract government attention to their present economic predicaments,
ASN advised the governor to immediately create Ogbunka-Umunze sector, Agulu-Nanka-Umuchu sector,Ogbaru-Ugwuanocha sector,Azia-Lilu sector and Otuocha-Anam sector to finally checkmate the influence of resurgence of criminal activities and wonder how a few ragtags criminals will be unleashing terror and fear to Anambrarians
The governor should also use at least only one month of security vote monies running into billions of naira to address ongoing security challenges, Col Obi rtd, warned
