The recent surge in criminal activities in Anambra State is not only alarming but also unprecedented. The situation has escalated to the point where it raises the pressing question: Is there anyone truly in charge of the state? Despite the presence of an incumbent Executive Governor and Chief Security Officer of the state, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the current wave of killings and other criminal activities seems to suggest otherwise.
The crimes, whether reported or not, appear to be carried out with impunity. Often, these incidents occur in a series, and the Governor’s response is typically a condolence visit to the scene, followed by a brief prayer for the victims and a promise to establish an investigating panel. These visits, marked by political displays of sympathy, are usually the first and last official responses to these tragic events. Promises of investigations are made, but they rarely result in any substantial outcomes. As soon as a new tragedy occurs, the previous investigations and promises fade into oblivion. The cycle of crime, condolence, investigation, and eventual forgetfulness continues unabated.
One glaring example of this pattern is the incident in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area, on October 20, 2024, where a series of violent cult clashes resulted in the deaths of several youths. Governor Soludo promised a detailed investigation into the incident. However, months later, there has been no public disclosure of the findings or any significant progress. This raises several important questions: Why has the investigation not been concluded? Why are Ndi Anambra kept in the dark regarding the panel’s findings? Is there something in the report that the government is trying to conceal? These unanswered questions fuel public frustration and distrust in the Soludo administration’s ability to address the worsening security situation.
It appears that Governor Soludo is deeply frustrated by the state’s deteriorating security situation. This frustration, however, has led him to take an unfortunate and misplaced stance in blaming the struggle for an independent Biafran state for the rising insecurity in Anambra. Soludo’s recent remarks, suggesting that the insecurity in the South-East may persist even if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is released, are not only a poor reflection of his leadership but also a distraction from the real issues plaguing the state.
Rather than focusing on the pressing task of combatting criminality, Soludo seems more concerned with blaming Biafra agitators and their sympathizers for the state’s security challenges. However, the reality is that the Biafra agitation is a regional issue, not one unique to Anambra. The demand for Biafra and the activities of its agitators span the entire South-East region, including Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo states. There is no evidence to suggest that Anambra is uniquely affected by these activities, nor does it follow that the agitation is the primary driver of the pervasive criminality in the state.
Governor Soludo’s attempts to deflect blame onto Biafra agitators are misplaced and appear to be an act of frustration. In his public remarks, Soludo accused certain communities in Anambra of harboring criminals who disguise themselves as Biafra agitators. He further stated that people in some areas even contribute food to support these criminals. This line of thinking raises several questions: Why do people treat the so-called agitators as heroes and the police as enemies? Could this hostility towards the police be linked to widespread grievances over police brutality and corruption?
This is not a trivial matter. Just recently, Mrs. Kemi Badenoch, the Nigerian-born leader of the UK Conservative Party, accused the Nigerian police of stealing her brother’s shoes. If such accusations are true, they reflect a deeper crisis of trust between the police and the people. In a climate where citizens see law enforcement agencies as oppressive and corrupt, it is not surprising that they might harbor more sympathy for those who resist the status quo, even if those resisting are involved in illegal activities. Governor Soludo’s accusations against the people of Anambra, blaming them for aiding criminals, fail to take into account this complex dynamic.
Moreover, Soludo’s criticism of Biafra agitators comes at a time when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released its 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS), showing that the South-East recorded the lowest crime rate in the country, with 6.2 million incidents. If Biafra agitators were truly responsible for widespread criminality in the region, it is unlikely that the South-East would have such relatively low crime rates compared to other regions. This stark contradiction undermines Soludo’s narrative that Biafra agitators are the primary cause of insecurity in Anambra.
Despite the challenges posed by agitators, it is important to acknowledge that the most urgent security issues in Anambra are not solely caused by the Biafran struggle. The state is grappling with a rising tide of violence, including recent incidents such as the killing of a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. While some of these crimes may involve elements sympathetic to the Biafra cause, it is clear that the state’s worsening insecurity is rooted in deeper issues that require immediate attention.
Governor Soludo’s plan to launch Operation Udo Ga Achi is a step in the right direction. However, for this initiative to succeed, Soludo must recognize that the true cause of the insecurity in Anambra lies in the failure of governance and the erosion of law and order, not in the activities of Biafra agitators. Instead of deflecting blame, the Governor must focus on strengthening the state’s security infrastructure, tackling criminality head-on, and rebuilding the trust between the people and law enforcement agencies.
To make real progress, Governor Soludo must learn to separate the issue of Biafra agitation from the day-to-day realities of governance in Anambra. Blaming agitators while neglecting the core responsibilities of leadership is a poor strategy. Instead, the Governor should focus on creating a safer, more secure Anambra, where the rule of law prevails, and the people can live without fear of violence and crime.
In conclusion, the security situation in Anambra is critical and requires urgent action. Governor Soludo must stop the blame game, focus on the real task of combating crime, and work towards creating a safer and more prosperous state for all its citizens. A stitch in time saves nine.
Onyiorah Paschal Chiduluemije writes from Abatete, Anambra State. He can be reached via +2347067504208.
