Anambra Govt not after Braless and Pantless Women, but after Criminals, Information Commissioner clarifies

Soludo

Uchenna Johnson

Awka

Anambra State Government on Tuesday, described the reports circulating that it has begun arresting women and young girls who walk around without bras and pants before they start walking naked as unfounded and malicious. 

The government also stated that it never issued any directive to arrest men with dreadlocks or those sagging their trousers.

 

Yesterday, all hell broke loose on the state government for allegedly commencing the enforcement, after a vehicle was spotted announcing the enforcement at Abagana in Njikoka Council Area. 

However, when our correspondent contacted the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, he said that although the government encourages decent dressing for all, it does not interfere with citizens' personal choices of clothing or undergarments, as such matters are private. 

He stated that the Chukwuma Soludo administration, being as responsive and responsible as it is, could not have given such a directive, questioning how the people expect the government to enforce such a law. 

"How will the verification be done? Are you going to ask the women and girls to undress when they come out, to determine whether they are wearing pants or bras? To be clear, Anambra State Government never has and will never issue such sanctions, and we encourage the people not to succumb to such blackmail,” he emphasized. 

Mefor clarified that the new Homeland Security Law in the state targets criminals and those who support criminality through all forms of negative practices. 

He confirmed that many fake native doctors, as well as genuine negative doctors who prepare charms or amulets for criminals, are in the custody of the state government, and an investigation is ongoing, after which the law will take its course. 

The Commissioner stated that the government requires the cooperation of the people of the state to report criminal activities in their localities so that the security outfit can rein in the criminals. 

He revealed that the Whistleblowing initiative of the state government, where genuine informants receive a reward of N5,000,000 for credible information, is already in operation, encouraging the people to take full advantage of the policy. 

Mefor reiterated that the Homeland Security Law in the state remains in force, urging the people to familiarize themselves with its provisions to ensure they do not run afoul of any of them.