The Anambra State Government has banned operatives of the state security outfit, Agunechemba, from wearing masks while carrying out duties across the state.
The directive was issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, during a meeting with commanders drawn from the 179 communities across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to a statement released by the office of the security adviser on Friday, the decision takes immediate effect and is aimed at preventing criminals from using masks to commit crimes under the guise of security operations.
Before the directive, operatives of the outfit were known for covering their faces with masks carrying different designs and inscriptions during operations.
Addressing the commanders in Awka, Emeakayi warned that any operative who violates the order, except those on special assignments, would face arrest and disciplinary action.
He said: “Henceforth, Agunechemba operatives must stop wearing masks.
“Any operative carrying out his duty with a mask, especially within towns in civil cases, is hiding something.”
The security adviser said masked operations could intimidate residents and create opportunities for criminal elements to exploit the outfit’s identity.
“By operating with masks, security operatives can scare citizens, while criminal elements can also take advantage of it and perpetrate crimes, which could be blamed on the agency and its men,” he said.
Emeakayi added: “You have nothing to fear.
“All of you live in various localities, and people already know you as security men.
“When you sit at joints enjoying your beer, do you wear masks?
“Some of you even take your working tools (guns) to drinking joints.
“What do you want to prove?
“Just so that people will hail you?”
He stressed that the state government would strictly enforce the new order.
“We are stopping operatives from wearing masks while operating, and we want you to enforce it.
“The ban on the use of masks is aimed at preventing their possible use by unscrupulous persons to commit violent crimes,” he added.
The special adviser also cautioned Agunechemba operatives against indiscriminate mounting of checkpoints across roads in the state.
According to him, checkpoints must only be established for genuine security operations targeted at criminals and not for harassing motorists or other road users.
