The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, has said that his government is committed to liberating the state from the grip of criminal elements engaging in “lucrative criminality” in the name of agitations and liberation.
He stated this while passing the Anambra Homeland Security Law. The Governor also unveiled special security operations, named “Udo Ga-Achị” and “Agunechemba”.
Speaking during the ceremony held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Saturday, Soludo said that the sum of ₦5 million would be paid to anyone who offered useful information that would lead to apprehending kidnappers.
Speaking during the ceremony held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Saturday, Soludo described security, law and order as pivotal to the attainment of the state’s vision of a liveable and prosperous homeland.
He said his administration’s move is a massive revolution to cement a robust security system with “zero tolerance for criminality.”
The governor noted that criminals now hide under the guise of a liberation struggle to engage in all manners of lucrative criminalities such as armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and even idolatry for ransom, thereby fuelling insecurity in the state.
He said, “January 17, 2025, marked our two years and 10 months in office. True to our promise last month to take decisive actions on security, it is auspicious that we mark this anniversary and begin the new year with the events of today.
“Today, we are here to unveil the Anambra Homeland Security Law, which the state Assembly worked vigorously to pass. The second event is the formal launching of our special intervention on security called, ‘Operation Udo-ga-chi’. It is the new security architecture we have now.
“The third one will be to formally inaugurate the state Anambra Traditional Rulers Council because the traditional rulers have a very important role to play in this process. Ndi Anambra, security, law and order remain pivotal to the attainment of our vision of a liveable and prosperous homeland.
“I want to assure you that despite the unique challenges of lucrative criminality adorned with deceptive ideology and propaganda, we are determined to fight criminality and ensure that Anambra becomes the safest state in Nigeria.
“The character and dynamics of criminality in the South-East and Nigeria have evolved and become hydra-headed, and so our response must be thoughtful, deliberate and comprehensive, involving both the kinetic and non-kinetic agenda.”
He added, “For example, kidnapping for ransom is not new. I recall that my 78-year-old father was kidnapped in 2009, and he spent 15 days with his abductors in the bush. Earlier that year, the oil mogul, Chief Anthony Enukeme (Tonimas), Chief Paul Okonkwo (Pokobros), Chief G.U.O Okeke, etc were kidnapped in the state. It was as if Armageddon had come.
“In 2021, governorship candidates could not campaign, especially in the Anambra South, to the extent the candidate of the Labour Party was kidnapped on the way to a political rally, and to date, he has not been found.
“My predecessor tackled the menace head-on. However, about 20 months before we assumed office in March 2022, a variant of the criminal gang under the guise of separatist agitation emerged with command-and-control centres.
“They killed policemen and soldiers at checkpoints and collected their guns. They attacked and burnt down many police stations. Sadly, most stakeholders kept mute. They set up camps in the bushes and forests and labelled themselves as ‘liberators’.
“Most people did not pay attention and very few cared to ask how these people with arms will be feeding from month to month or year to year or how they will be funding their operations.”
The governor added that the state is investing heavily in logistical support, adding that the special forces for ‘Operation Udo-ga-Chi’ and ‘Agunechemba’ will have over 2,000 personnel dedicated to special tasks, with the personnel drawn from the army, police, DSS, NSCDC and other security agencies.
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