By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has received commendation from stakeholders, traditional institutions, and members of the public following what has been described as a peaceful and hitch-free 2025 Imọka Festival held in Awka, the state capital.
The commendation came as the festival, which is one of the most prominent cultural events in the state, recorded no single case of violence, cult-related activity, or public disturbance — a development the Police attributed to strategic planning, timely intelligence, and strong community partnership.
According to statement issued on Sunday by the Spokesperson of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD, expressed gratitude to the people of Awka and the festival organisers for their discipline, law-abiding spirit, and cooperation with security personnel before, during, and after the cultural celebration. He said the peaceful outcome of the festival was indicative of the power of collaboration between the police and the public.
The CP, who was ably represented at the festival by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Ezekiel Ibrahim, also appreciated the commitment of all security operatives deployed to ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the celebration. He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to maintain dominance in the area of public security and to continue deploying people-oriented policing strategies across the state.
According to the statement, the CP further reassured Ndi Anambra that the Police Command remains committed to ensuring that law-abiding citizens freely enjoy their cultural heritage, rights, and festivities without fear or threats. He added that the Command would sustain its proactive approach and ensure that other major cultural or social events in the state are equally celebrated without security threats.
While thanking the public for their cooperation and timely information sharing, the Commissioner urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police in protecting the state and preserving peace.
The Command also reiterated its readiness to respond promptly to any form of security concern and urged the public to make use of emergency contact lines when necessary.
Reports have it that this marks the first time in recent memory that the Imọka Festival concluded without any security breach — a development that many stakeholders described as a major milestone for the Awka community and a clear indication of growing confidence in the security architecture of the state under the current administration.
As SP Tochukwu Ikenga noted in the statement, the feat was not accidental but a result of meticulous planning, actionable intelligence, inter-agency coordination, and, most importantly, the responsible conduct of the people of Awka.
The Anambra State Police Command, however, says it will not rest on its oars but will continue to strengthen its community engagement and proactive security strategy across all local government areas of the state.
