Mr. Ejike (pseudonym) shared his recent encounter at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State, narrating a disturbing incident involving touts in a voice note that went viral among his friends. According to Ejike, upon arriving from Asaba to Onitsha around 8 pm, as their bus stopped at Upper Iweka, touts armed with cutlasses began robbing people of their belongings. Ejike described it as a traumatic experience, reflecting a recurring issue in Onitsha, known for touting and daylight robbery.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, however, has taken a stand to eliminate these problems, particularly in Onitsha, the state’s commercial hub. During the recent Ofala festival, Governor Soludo assured the people of plans to eradicate touting, emphasizing the need for a safe business environment. True to his words, the governor launched the Anambra Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA) to address the menace.
Governor Soludo, during the launch in Onitsha, emphasized the commitment to restore Anambra State to its former reputation for law and order. He acknowledged the challenges posed by touts, affecting both local and national customers, and expressed determination to reclaim Onitsha’s status as a commercial hub.
Less than 24 hours after the launch, SASA reported the arrest of 64 individuals suspected of being touts and criminals around Upper Iweka, Bridge Head, and Chisco Motor Park in Onitsha. The Director of Operations for SASA, Mr. Solomon Onwuemene, declared that the arrests would continue until the city is free of criminals.
However, there are concerns about certain government agency operatives contributing to disorderliness in the state. Mr. Chibuike Uloka, a public policy analyst, highlighted the issue of “official touts” abusing their authority, capturing incidents on video where citizens were subjected to physical torture for traffic offenses or revenue collection.
Uloka expressed concern that the recent formation of SASA might be inadvertently leading to an increase in touting, with over 53,000 individuals reportedly recruited in just 19 months. He criticized the administration for not addressing the rise of touts and urged a focus on job creation and support for small businesses.
On the other hand, SASA’s Director of Operations, Mr. Solomon Onwuemene, remains optimistic. He reported that since SASA’s launch, over 600 suspected touts have been arrested in various local government areas. Onwuemene assured the public that touting would soon be eradicated in Anambra State and commended the support of Governor Soludo, the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Mr. Chikodili Anara, and the people of Anambra.