AWKA — The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng has expressed worry over the recent fire incidents in different parts of the state and has consequently ordered an investigation into these fire outbreaks. Notably, the Oko market fire outbreak, Oko is a popular higher institution community in Aguata area of the State, and the fire outbreak which occurred at a food and furniture shop in the Ifite area of Awka, are the two most recent of these fire outbreaks. In both instances, valuable properties and goods worth a fortune were lost.
In a statement signed by DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, he observed that the CP is disturbed by the ugly development and has ordered a detailed investigation into the fire outbreaks, while also cautioned Anambra residents to be more careful and avoid situations that could lead to fire outbreak.
His statement reads in part, “The CP who had ordered comprehensive investigation into the incidents admonished residents on negligent acts such as unbridled dropping of cigarette butts, uncontrolled bush burning, use of firecrackers and other explosives, careless handling of receptacles for trash, poor handling of electrical appliances’… DSP Ikenga also revealed that available information shows that both fire incidents occurred in the early hours of the day. ‘Preliminary information reveals that the fire took place in the early hours of the day and no life was lost,” Ikenga said.
He, however, pointed out that Police operatives upon getting information on the fire outbreak moved and quickly condoned off the area to prevent hoodlums from going to take advantage of the situation to loot, and then, the police reached the fire service who upon arrival successfully put off the raging fire.
The Commissioner of Police CP Echeng, through the Anambra State Police Command spokesman, admonished members of the public to ‘keep inflammable substances away from the reach of children… use fire extinguishers, and promptly call Fire Service Office, the Police and other disaster management authority nearest to them’.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
