By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has warned town criers against broadcasting information about activities and operations of Udo Ga-Chi joint security network and Agunachemba without obtaining extent approvals from community leaders.
The statement was against the reports making around that some town criers were telling the populace that Soludo's operation udo gá-achị joint security team would clampdown on half-naked women, men on dreadlocks and sagging.
The governor, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor also stressed that President General of communities would be held responsible for whatever information broadcasted at their domains that are contradictory to the provisions of Anambra State homeland security law 2025.
"The government will now consider such misinformation to be intentional and fabricated to incite the public against the new law and Agunechemba, which it established, and Operation Udo Ga-Achi, which aims to purge the state of criminality and evil native doctors, sorcerers, and idolaters who prepare Oke-Ite and similar potions and charms; those native doctors who prepare Odeshi, which gives the criminals Dutch (foolish) courage with which they commit robberies, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
"Town Criers must now consult their communities' Presidents-General before broadcasting any messages, and the Presidents-General will be held accountable if the broadcasting of the messages misrepresents the new law or the purpose of Agunechemba and Operation Udo Ga-Achi. When in doubt, the President-General should consult the government, especially the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor (SPAD) on Community Security," he added.
Another statement signed by the governor's Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, described the report as mischievous and calculated attempts to mislead the public and paint the state government in bad light.
"Although the government encourages decent dressing for all, it does not interfere with citizens' personal choices of clothing or undergarments, as such matters are private and protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"The Anambra State Government will continue to focus on serious issues of security of lives and property, human capital development, economic transformation of the state, and urban regeneration agenda, among others," he added.