Anambra mandates strict ID checks for tenants, and hotel guests ‘to curb insecurity’

The Anambra government has ordered all hotel owners and landlords in the state to request a valid means of identification from their guests and tenants.

The directive comes a few days after security operatives uncovered “over 30 graves and a shrine” at a hotel in Oba, Idemili, south LGA of the state.

A statement issued on Friday by Law Mefor, the information commissioner, said the directive was aimed at “curbing insecurity” and promoting a secure environment in the state.

Mefor said hotel owners and landlords are to submit a properly filled form containing the information of their tenants alongside a valid ID to the president-general of their community.

“Directives for hotel owners – all hotel guests must provide a valid government-issued National Identity Card, international passport, or voter’s card to the hotel management,” the statement reads.

“Hotel owners must photocopy these documents and submit them to the President-General of the community, who will then forward them to the local government mayor and the state government.

“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the forfeiture of the hotel facility and potential prosecution.”

He added that all president-generals must submit a monthly report to the state government, as failure to do so would result in sanction and suspension.

Mefor, who urged the public to report any criminal activities in the state to the appropriate authority, said the state would reward anyone with valuable information with N5 million.

“Directives for president-generals of town unions include, president-generals are now chairmen of the security committee of ‘Agunaechemba’ in their respective communities,” he added.

“They must oversee the daily operations of the ‘Agunaechemba’ security outfit and submit detailed monthly reports to the government. Failure to submit these reports will result in suspension and potential sanctions.

“These directives aim to promote a safe and secure environment in Anambra State. The government urges all citizens and stakeholders to cooperate and support these initiatives.”