Paul Chukwuma, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate in the Nov. 8 governorship election in Anambra, has urged the state government to adopt preventive measures in tackling crime in the state.

Mr Chukwuma noted that adopting a crime prevention mechanism would work better than tackling an already committed crime by way of investigation to apprehend criminals.

Mr Chukwuma’s call is contained in his condolence message to the family of late Ifeanyi Iloakasie, the lawyer and president general of Aguleri community in Anambra East Local Government Area, on Saturday in Awka.

Mr Iloakasia was murdered on Thursday by suspected gunmen while returning from the court where he secured bail for an accused in a murder case.

Mr Chukwuma urged the state government to live up to its duty of protecting the lives and property of residents of the state.

“We don’t have to wait for criminals to act before they are trailed and apprehended. We don’t have to allow criminals to overrun our state before we start to act.

“The government of Anambra state must therefore work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that criminals who have a free ride in Anambra state are rounded up and dealt with according to the law.

“The government must retune its strategy and shift from mere apprehension of criminals after they have inflicted damage, to crime prevention and control,” he said.

According to the statement, this extremely painful loss signposts a dangerous descent into a state of nature of sorts, which has been going on in Anambra State.

“The brutal execution of a budding, young, and promising legal professional and a community leader of good standing in the mold of Ifeanyi Iloakasia, stands condemned in clear terms.

“It is shocking that some armed thugs can trail some people on their way in Anambra and open fire on them without consequence.

“This barbaric act is an attack on Anambra state, it is an attack on the future of Anambra state, it is an attack on all of us, and it must be completely condemned by all,” he said.

The governorship candidate, however, condoled the family of late Mr Iloakasia and the entire Aguleri community.

According to him, may the good Lord comfort you all and may the soul of the departed rest in the Lord’s bosom, amen.

The state government recently inaugurated a security outfit, “Operation Udogachi/Agunechemba”, to tackle insecurity.

The joint security force is doing everything possible to tackle criminality, toward reducing the crime rate in the state.

(NAN)