By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police and immediate-past Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, AIG Ikioye Orutugu, has recounted how he confronted insecurity in the state, saying he arrived in Anambra deeply concerned by the level of criminality but was determined to restore confidence and protect the people.
Orutugu spoke on Sunday during a special thanksgiving service held in his honour at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Amawbia, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, during which he also revealed some of the security strategies he adopted in the course of his service in the state, including holding stakeholders engagements, visiting night clubs every weekend, and interacting with commercial sex workers, among others.
The event attracted dignitaries from different parts of the country, including friends, associates, security stakeholders, heads of federal agencies, traditional rulers, and members of his community, the Okpoama coastal town, Brass Island in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The well-attended thanksgiving service was followed by a reception in Nibo, where cake was cut as guests continued to celebrate the retired police officer’s career and his service in Anambra.
Speaking at the event, Orutugu revealed that he was initially disturbed when he was deployed to Anambra because of the alarming reports of kidnapping, killings and other criminal activities being published about the state in newspapers on a daily basis.
He, however, said he accepted the posting with the belief that God, who had allowed him to come to Anambra, would also give him the strength and wisdom to succeed.
According to him, he did not lobby for any of the major positions he occupied throughout his police career, from Superintendent of Police to Commissioner of Police and later Assistant Inspector-General of Police, but attributed his rise to divine grace.
Orutugu (popularly known as Agụ Ji Egbe) said there was no fixed security formula when he arrived Anambra as CP, but he had to develop and apply unique strategies based on the peculiar challenges confronting the state.
He described Anambra people as hardworking and business-minded, noting that the activities of gunmen and other criminal elements had threatened the ability of residents to move freely, trade and pursue their livelihoods.
He said he was determined not to allow criminal groups to cripple commercial activities in the state, adding that his administration began by confronting kidnapping before extending its operations to other security challenges. He recalled that even the first day he assumed office in Anambra, news about the death of three children who were stored in a fridge in Nnewi was reported; and he immediately mobilized to the scene.
The retired AIG also recalled the great role played by the recently-assassinated popular Awka-based MC, DJ, town crier and media personality, Isaac Nwosu (popularly known as Aiza Nwosu) in helping the Police disseminate public service announcements to markets and communities.
According to him, the closure of major commercial centres, including Nnewi, Ọgbọ Ọgwụ Market, Onitsha Main Market, and other parts of Anambra in the name of sit-at-home, severely affected and almost crippled economic activities in the state, but the situation gradually changed as he began to implement his security measures, with massive support from Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and sister security agencies in the state.
He also recalled how the Command under his watch trained the Udo Ga-Achị operatives to become more effective and more professional, and even gradually withdrew them from the roads.
Orutugu also revealed that one of the approaches adopted during his tenure was to engage communities and criminal elements through communication rather than rely solely on the use of firearms.
He claimed that, throughout his period as Commissioner of Police in Anambra, no police officer was shot and he did not personally shoot anybody. He also said some criminal elements and different commanders of unknown gunmen contacted him and assured him that police officers would not be attacked as long as he remained in charge of the State Police Command.
He further recalled the 2025 Anambra governorship election, describing it as one of the most peaceful elections conducted in the history of the state, and attributed the outcome to the security arrangements and cooperation among stakeholders during the exercise.
Another issue he highlighted was the Imo Awka festival, which he said had been associated with bloodshed for more than a century before it was conducted without such violence or any bloodshed for the first time in history during his tenure. He said the achievement also earned him recognition and award from the people of Awka.
Recounting some of the unconventional methods he used in gathering intelligence, Orutugu said he visited nightclubs regularly and interacted with people in the nightlife environment to obtain useful information, and also engaged community leaders, among others strategies.
“I dey follow ashawo, but I no dey follow them sleep,” he said, stressing that his interactions were intended to gather intelligence and understand developments within the society.
The retired AIG also recalled his encounter with popular native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu (popularly known as Akwa Ọkụkọ Tiwara Aki), saying he had informed him that he would be arrested at midnight and eventually carried out the arrest at the stated time.
He also recalled how Anambra, under his watch, had the best Christmas celebration with the largest number of Ndị Anambra returning home for yuletide in recent time. Also recounted by the retired AIG was how he brought to an end the protracted communal clash between Aguleri and Umuleri communities; ended Monday sit-at-home and early market closure in the state; and also earned NANS most students-friendly commissioner of police award, among others.
Summing up his experience in Anambra, Orutugu declared: “I came, I saw, and I conquered.”
He further recognized and lauded the efforts and supports received from the government, the media, officers of the Command, sister agencies, individuals, institutions, relatives, Ndị Anambra, and others who contributed in one way or the other to the success of his service in Anambra.
“For the period I served in Anambra, I was never summoned either by court, IGP, or any authority. But whatever I achieved, I didn’t achieve it alone; I had a very good working relationship with the people and relevant stakeholders,” he testified.
Earlier in his homily, the Vicar of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Amawbia, Ven. Jason Onyeakagbusi, spoke on the theme, “Love: The Pivot of Vertical and Horizontal Relationship.”
The cleric, who described love as the greatest commandment, explained that genuine love must be directed both towards God and humanity. Citing 1 John 4:20-21 and Matthew 22:34-40, he said a person could not claim to love God while failing to show love to fellow human beings.
Onyeakagbusi said love was demonstrated through practical concern for others and should not be limited to religious declarations. He also referred to the qualities of love outlined in 1 Corinthians 13 and urged Christians to remember the corporate work of mercy.
Turning to the retired AIG, the vicar described Orutugu as a gift to Anambra, Nigeria and humanity, recalling that the church had previously honoured him with award for his contributions and good works.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen at the reception, the traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, H.R.H. Igwe Pharm. Alex Uzor Onyido (Ezechuamagha I of Ogidi), said his decision to honour the retired AIG was based not only on his performance in office but also on his personal experience with the retired police officer.
Onyido, who said he had been actively involved in security matters in Ogidi for more than two decades, described Orutugu as one of the most outstanding security officials he had encountered in Anambra. He recalled that when Ogidi was facing security challenges, he approached him for assistance as the then Commissioner of Police, and he responded by deploying additional security personnel, setting up a special anti-cultism team, and supporting efforts to tackle cult-related activities in the community.
The traditional ruler said what particularly impressed him was not the effectiveness of Orutugu’s intervention, but his refusal to accept cash he offered him as appreciation for the intervention. According to him, he made the offer on two occasions, presenting him with bundles of cash, but Orutugu declined, telling him that the money would be more useful to him in addressing the security challenges confronting his community.
“Indeed, he is a good man and a gift to Anambra State,” Onyido said, revealing that in all his years in Nigeria, he had rarely, if ever, encountered a public official who rejected such a cash gesture.
Onyido said his experience with Orutugu was part of the reason he attended the thanksgiving service to honour him, adding that his assessment was based on direct dealings with the retired AIG rather than what he had merely heard about him.
Assessing the security situation in the state, the traditional ruler said he believed Anambra had become safer compared with the period before Orutugu’s tenure. He attributed the improvement to the combined efforts of the Police, the state government and other stakeholders, expressing optimism that the ongoing efforts of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo would further strengthen security across the state.
On the new Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, Onyido said he had not yet met him personally but expressed optimism that he would also make a more positive impact. He said Anambra had been fortunate in terms of the calibre of police commissioners deployed to the state and looked forward to meeting the new police chief.
Also speaking, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Tobechukwu Nweke SAN said the Orutugu came at a time the state had serious security challenges, and was very helpful to the state in different ways and in achieving many feats that made the state safer and highly peaceful today.
According to him, the retired AIG was always available at all times, selfless, dedicated and did not step on toes unjustly.
“He stood for justice and fought injustice and insecurity,” he declared, noting that Orutugu came clean and left clean to the best of his knowledge, and that Ndị Anambra were happy with the services he delivered in the state.
On his own part, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Investigation, DCP Mantu Chongs, revealed that the State CID had a strong record of successful case investigations and prosecutions, revealing that 69 cases were successfully prosecuted between January and July this year alone under his watch.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of The Orient Group of Companies, Chief Dr. Godwin Ezeemo, hailed the personality and professionalism of the retired AIG and further highlighted some of the security feats recently recorded in the state under his watch.
Fielding questions from newsmen about the 2013 incident when his aide narrowly escaped assassination, the former governorship candidate, Ezeemo, testified that Anambra was much safer today than before, attributing parts of the credits to AIG Orutugu’s service in Anambra.
The event was also graced by several other dignitaries, including the Amadabo of Shidi-Ama in the Brass Kingdom of Bayelsa State, H.R.H. (Dr.) Otonye Efebo (Shidi VII); the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bridget Ashekauno; Chairperson of the Heads of Federal Establishments, Dr. Blessing Ogbonna; Nigerian actor and former Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism, Hon. Sir Bob-Manuel Udokwu.
Others included: the State Coordinator of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria and Vice-Chairperson of the Heads of Federal Establishments, Chizoba Uzoamaka Irono; former MD/CEO of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Sir Chido Obidiegwu; General Manager Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Franca Uzoma-Olua; Assistant Director of News and Current Affairs, NTA, Ngozi Okafor, among others.
The reception also featured cultural displays and performances, cutting of cake, and presentation of gifts to the retired AIG, among other highlights.
Orutugu assumed office as the 35th Commissioner of Police Anambra State on February 10, 2025, taking over from Nnaghe Obono Itam.
Since assuming office as the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, he led several intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements, took the war to the dreaded gunmen terrorizing the state then, and also repeatedly advocated stronger cooperation between security agencies and members of the public in the fight against crime, which has made Anambra one of the most secured states in the country today.
On July 1, 2026, the Police Service Commission announced Orutugu’s meritorious promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).
On Tuesday, July 21, Orutugu was decorated with the new rank of AIG, setting the tone for his departure as the Anambra State Commissioner of Police; while in August, he officially retired from Service at the prime age of 60 years.
More photos from the event:
