By Odita Sunday, Editor-in-Chief
In just a few months of assuming office, Commissioner of Police Orutugu has recorded a series of notable achievements that have reshaped security operations in Anambra State, reinforcing community trust and positioning the command as a model for crime suppression in Nigeria.
One of the most immediate impacts of his leadership was the significant reduction in kidnapping, cult-related violence, armed robberies, and the once-disruptive sit-at-home orders. Communities across the state reported noticeable improvements in safety and mobility within the first three months of his tenure.
Data from the command highlights a record-breaking wave of operations during the period.
More than 200 suspects, including kidnappers and armed robbers, were apprehended, while over 30 kidnapped victims were rescued.
Police operations also dismantled multiple “baby factories,” liberating trafficked children who were later handed over to rehabilitation authorities.
A major breakthrough came in February when operatives uncovered a child-trafficking syndicate in Onitsha.
The operation led to the rescue of 10 severely malnourished children and the arrest of several perpetrators, including a fake medical practitioner alleged to be running the racket.
The rescued children were handed to the Ministry of Women Affairs for comprehensive rehabilitation and care.
Beyond criminal crackdowns, Orutugu’s command ensured robust security coverage during high-profile events.
These included a widely attended wedding ceremony in Ihiala and President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Awka for the commissioning of key projects.
Both events, potential targets for disruption, proceeded without incident thanks to the coordinated work of Operation Udo Ga Chi and joint security collaborations.
Kidnapping cases, which had been a lingering threat in the region, were tackled with urgency. In one of the earliest operations, a combined security team rescued Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona and three others abducted along the Onitsha–Owerri Expressway.
The mission resulted in multiple arrests and recovery of weapons, underscoring the command’s commitment to swift and decisive action.
Within just two weeks of intensified operations, the command recovered 10 firearms, 16 expended cartridges, 46 live rounds of ammunition, and four stolen vehicles, three of which were promptly returned to their rightful owners.
Several incriminating items were also seized in the process.
The Commissioner has also placed strong emphasis on community trust and conflict resolution.
He personally intervened in a volatile land dispute involving Nando’s Ogu Clan, successfully mediating peace and securing an agreement between the warring parties.
His use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques has been hailed as an effective policing tool for long-term stability.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Within months, Orutugu received multiple recognitions for his crime-fighting record.
Among them were the Razor Newspaper Award in April 2025, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (FCT) Man of the Year Award in July 2025, and the Pechilly Investigative Limited Award as Best Crime Fighter of 2025.
Each award celebrated his commitment to intelligence-led policing and his achievements in reducing crime and enhancing safety across Anambra.
Equally significant has been his push to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders. Engaging traditional leaders, political figures, and philanthropists, including at a high-profile security dialogue in Abuja, Orutugu stressed the importance of community policing, resource mobilization, and intelligence sharing.
His constant reminder that “security is a shared responsibility” has become a rallying point for joint efforts in sustaining peace and security in Anambra.
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