Eastern Region Police against albino killings, abductions

Commissioner of Police for the Eastern Region Effie Kaitano says the battle against abductions, killings and exhumation of bones of people with albinism can be won if communities work with police to apprehend the perpetrators.

Kaitano made the observation on Thursday at Chikweo Primary School in Machinga during an awareness campaign that began with a march from Chikweo Police Post to Chikweo Primary School. The campaign was aimed at sensitising the communities to the significance of providing safety and security to people with albinism in the district.

She said with the help of the communities, the district police station has apprehended several criminals, most of whom have been convicted.

Traditional Authority (T/A) Ngokwe bemoaned that shortage of police officers at Ngokwe and Chikweo, where the practice is rampant. He said community policing members lack weapons to deal with the criminals..

In response, Kaitano said her office will look into the chief’s proposal and boost security in the cited areas for children with albinism who have stopped attending school as well as grown-ups that have stopped operating businesses for fear of being attacked.

“We will also be deploying armed officers every day and night to be conducting patrols in the mentioned areas to ensure an end to these barbaric acts,” she said. n