A Joint Task Force set up by the new administration of the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has commenced operation with a raid of criminal hideouts in major markets in Onitsha.

Over 20 persons were arrested for sundry offences ranging from selling and smoking Indian hemp to armed robbery and kidnapping. In another raid, members of the proscribed MASSOB group were also apprehended in Awada, Onitsha.

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Usman Gwary, said the commitment of the state government and the Joint Security Task Force to ridding the state of crime and criminality is total and non-negotiable.

Early last week, Anambra State governor set up a joint security task force comprising the Police, Navy, NDLEA, Army, SSS, amongst others to jointly combat the growing criminal activities across the state, especially in Onitsha.

Beginning operation in the major markets and parks in Onitsha, several arrests were made and several arms recovered from the hoodlums.

While many of the suspects denied being criminals as alleged, one Mr Uchenna Nwafor, a manager with one of the transport companies admitted being found with Indian hemp.

In a separate operation, the JTF also arrested members of the proscribed MASSOB group on their way to a burial in Nnewi. The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the operations said they were arrested because Anambra State government had outlawed Massob in the state.

The leader of the MASSOB group stated that they were not violent and that they were only going to bury one of their members that died.

Recently, cases of kidnapping and armed robbery hit red in Anambra State and the new administration with major focus on sanitising the state in all forms constituted the Joint security task force to help fight the growing menace.

Though it could be said to be a successful operation, observers say the security team should ensure that the innocent were not punished alongside the guilty as situations of mass arrests usually presented, insisting that thorough investigation should be carried out in all the cases to ensure adequate justice for all.