Anticipating Soludo’s Solution to Worsening Insecurity in Anambra

Udora Orizu writes that following the inauguration of Prof. Charles Soludo as the Governor of Anambra State, indigenes look forward to what actions he will take to stem the worsening insecurity in the state

On March 17, Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo was sworn in as the Governor of Anambra State by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu at the Government House, Awka, in a low-key ceremony. Delivering his inaugural speech at the event, Soludo vowed to fight all forms of criminality in the state.

Nigeria as a nation has for decades tried to curb the rising spate of insecurity bedeviling her. From the Northern to the Southern part of the country, it appears that despite efforts of the government and security agencies, security situation of the country is getting worse by the day. While every state in the country have had their share of terrible state of security, Anambra State, once known to be relatively peaceful, has recently and constantly been in the news for the wrong reasons, bordering on kidnapping,  wanton killings, destruction of private and public properties by ‘unknown gunmen,’ and shutting down of economic activities with the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In 2021, the state’s security architecture was put to the test by a surge of insecurity that shook its core. The insecurity worsened with a declaration by a separatist group, that the November 6 governorship poll in the state would not hold. The killings were linked to the South-east separatist group, known as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Following the detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB members called for weekly sit-at-home protests, each Monday, across the South-east states including Anambra, freezing business activities in cities, towns, and even village markets. Despite, the former state Governor, Willie Obiano lifting the order and directing residents to go about their daily life, they  obeyed the sit-at-home order even to the detriment of their businesses, education and other economic activities.

These non-state actors largely dictate the life of residents, deciding when they could go out and when they should stay in. It was so bad that even party flagbearers suspended their campaigns for fear of being attacked. 

According to reports, “No fewer than 175 persons, including soldiers, police and civilians, have lost their lives in the South-east within the last six months due to the insecurity that has engulfed the troubled region. The killings took place in 72 attacks by hoodlums across the five states in the region, namely; Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia. In Anambra state, 76 security agents and civilians were killed within the period, while 15 buildings and 28 vehicles were set ablaze. On September 28, 2021, Mr. Chike Akunyili, husband of the late DG of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Dora Akunyili, was brutally murdered by ‘unknown gunmen’ in Anambra. He was shot dead while returning from an event to honour his late wife. 

On Sunday, October 3, gunmen set ablaze the residence of Joe Igbokwe, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, and that of a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Sonny Chu Okongwu, in Nnewi. There was heavy gunfire during the attack and unfortunately, two lives were lost. Also, a police station in Orumba North was attacked and people were killed. On September 30th, a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chris Azugbogu’s vehicle was attacked along Nnewi-Nnobi Road leading to death of one of his drivers. The offices of Department of State Security were also burnt down on October 3 and people were killed.

While some government officials and security agencies have blamed it on the separatist group, the group on its part has denied any involvement, and in turn accused mainstream politicians of causing the mayhem. Also, there’s believe in some quarters that the disorder in Anambra and the entire South-east region can be linked to the race for the 2023 Presidency.

Soludo, who contested for gubernatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said the insecurity challenges in the state was politically motivated.

He stated this in November, 2021 during the Anambra Gubernatorial Debate organized by Arise TV, noted that some individuals hope the situation would give them a political advantage.

He said, “Most of the recent upsurge of insecurity in Anambra is politically motivated. There are some people who think they can gain political advantage by creating a sense of fear and insecurity so that they can suppress voters. When Valentine Ozigbo [PDP candidate] talked about intelligence gathering, that intelligence gathering is everywhere.”

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria also stated that insecurity in Anambra State was a recent phenomenon, claiming that his opponent from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Andy Uba might have an answer to the insecurity challenges that persist.

He noted that while the state’s security architecture was vested in the Federal Government, the incumbent governor, at the time, had risen to the challenge of securing Anambra.

The senseless killings currently being carried out in Anambra State has raised concern across the country, with various assertions on the cause and the likely perpetrators. Wading into the matter, members of the House of Representatives at the plenary on October 5, urged the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and other security agencies to deploy all necessary machinery to Anambra State towards containing the increasing spate of killings in the state.

The House also mandated its committees on National Security, Intelligence and Police Affairs to ensure that normalcy is restored within the state and report within three weeks for further legislative action.

The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Hon. Chris Azugbogu.

Moving the motion, Azugbogu expressed grave concerns over the security breaches that are taking place within Anambra State.

The lawmaker while noting that Anambra used to be a very peaceful state, said the state has been turned into, a center of attacks by unknown gunmen.

According to him, the killings are orchestrated by mischief makers who are bent on causing tension and panic in the state ahead of the November 6 election in Anambra State (at the time). 

Making reference to the attack on his entourage which led to the death of one of his drivers, the lawmaker said no single day passes without a reported case of robbery, abduction and outright killing in the state, adding that the perpetrators have no conscience.

Azugbogu warned that unless drastic measure were taken to halt and combat those elements terrorizing the state, the dastardly events in Anambra would turn into a major crisis in the entire South-east and the nation. 

Again, on February 22, 2022, the House of Representatives, worried by the increasing activities of non-state actors in fueling the growing insecurity in the Anambra State, renewed it’s call on the government to take drastic action in curtailing the security challenges bedeviling the country.

The House specifically, urged the National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector General Police, Director General State Security, Army, Navy and other security to form a joint taskforce to restore security in Anambra State especially Anambra South bordering Imo State.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance, sponsored by, Hon. Chris Azubogu.

Moving the motion, Azubogu lamented that non-state actors mostly criminals have taken over part of Anambra State and have being killing innocent citizens and creating fear to the extent that well-meaning citizens including traditional rulers and responsible citizens have deserted their home towns.

He recalled that gunmen operated in Aguata LGA of Anambra State killing at least four persons one of their victims being an official of the Anambra State Traffic Management Agency (ASTMA) directing traffic at the ever-busy Ekwulobia Roundabout. 

While saying that he thought that the security situation in the state would be better after the last governorship election, the lawmaker appealed to the Federal Government to help restore normalcy to the state.

He said, “Further worried about the most recent killing of Chief Gab Ofoma a Senior Estate Surveyor and Valuer, a foremost Industrialist and the Chairman/CEO Ofoma Associates Ltd on Sunday the 20th of February by these criminals along Mbosi/Ihiala/Iseke Road and the killing of Mr. Sule Matthew a First-Class graduate of Bayero University Kano and other occupants of the vehicle conveying them to Anambra State for his National Youth Service. An attempt was also made on the life of Chief Fabian Nworah of Efab Properties by these blood tasty criminals when he visited Anambra State and many others too numerous to mention.

Contributing, Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha (APC, Abia) said the security situation was not restricted to Anambra state alone as nobody dared to go out on Mondays throughout the South-east as a result of the activities of non-state actors who mount road block on high ways, collecting tax and other levies from road users.

Another lawmaker, Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) said a situation where non-state actors were allowed to mount road blocks collecting tax and levies amount to having a parallel government and showed signs of a failed state.

He therefore advised the Federal Government to take serious measures to stop these illegal road blocks across the country.

Adopting the motion, the House observed a one-minute silence in memory security men, women and other innocent citizens that have been brutally murdered through these senseless killings.

Regrettably, the state has not entirely recovered from the ordeals. People, for fear of being killed, deserted the roads as gunmen terrorized the population. 

The Governor while presenting his inaugural speech, last week offered the olive branch to those perpetrating violence and insecurity in the state. The governor called for cessation of hostilities, even as he endorsed a tripartite discussion with arm bearing groups, the Presidency and governors of the South-east region.

He promised to engage all parties to the breakdown of peace and order in Anambra from a point of determination to solve problems and resolve disagreements with openness, integrity, equity and justice.

Soludo said, “My heart bleeds to see and hear about our youth dying in senseless circumstances. Every criminal gang – kidnappers, murderers, arsonists, rapists, thieves – all now claim to be freedom fighters. Criminality cannot be sugar-coated. This must stop. All the stakeholders must now review both the narrative and the action plan. For starters, I endorse the recent statement (March 7, 2022) by the Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Bishops/Archbishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution, requesting for a tripartite discussion between them, the Presidency, and South-east governors to deal with the conflicts in the South-east especially, in relation to Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“There is no conflict that dialogue, in good faith, cannot resolve. Our government is determined to urgently restore peace and security in Anambra, and we will seek the active cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders. The current trajectory is a road to desolation. Let us get around the table and talk. Let the elite in the closet come out, and let’s debate our future and forge a consensus. The conspiracy of silence by the elite and some community leaders must end. If you see something, say or do something. Securing Igboland and Nigeria must be our collective responsibility. Let those in the forests come out, surrender their guns and let’s work together to rehabilitate and empower you to contribute positively to the peace and prosperity of our homeland”.

Will Soludo Stem the Tide of Insecurity in Anambra?

No doubt, the public goodwill that greeted Soludo’s election was apparent. There is this feeling that the election had produced the most qualified candidate to govern the state. Soludo has the strong backing of the people and must now focus and start working out strategies to solve the challenges that confront his government. He is expected to fulfill this electioneering promise. Though he appears ready for the job at hand, if he fails to perform on the job, he will find no sympathizers.