Soludo declares war on touts in Anambra, launches special squad….

The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has launched the Anambra Special Anti-Touting Squad in his efforts to get rid of touts in the state.

During the launch in Upper-Iweka, Onitsha, on Monday, the governor warned that the days of touts in the state are numbered as a full-blown war has been declared against them.

Soludo pointed out that in an environment where lawlessness has become a culture, bringing back law and order will be difficult, hence the reason for the exercise.

He congratulated members of the squad who have been found worthy and offered to serve, urging them to serve with commitment, passion, and diligence.

He also advised them to adhere to laid-down standards and the code of conduct guiding their operations.

Soludo, however, urged the citizens to always remember the campaign of ‘if you see something, you say something’ and to put it into practise.

According to him, phone numbers shall be made available to citizens to inform the government of any touting activities they noticed in the are

While warning all market chairmen, he pointed out that any market where touts are still operating shall be disbanded and the chairmen shall be removed from office, adding that each market chairman must take responsibility.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chief Chikodiri Anara, in his opening remarks, said the launch of the Special Anti-Touting Squad is the start of the journey.

Anara assured the governor that the men of the squad were well-trained and that by December, positive changes would be noticed.

He gave a note of warning to hoodlums causing trouble in the state to leave the state, as they won’t find it comfortable to operate from now on.

The Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Aghamba, Special Adviser on Security Matters, AVM Chiobi, Chief of Protocol, Chinedu Nwoye Glamour, President General, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Humphrey Anuna, and members of the armed forces, amongst others, were at the event.