Tag: SECURITY

By Christian ABURIME :

Nigerians’ penchant for knee-jerk reactions is a well-worn trope.  We are a society often driven by immediate outrage, demanding instant solutions to complex problems.  Like firefighters rushing from blaze to blaze, we react to crises with a flurry of activity, often without truly addressing the underlying issues. This “fire brigade” approach, while offering a temporary sense of accomplishment, rarely yields lasting solutions. Instead, it often creates a cycle of reactive governance, where problems resurface, demanding yet another round of frantic, short-sighted interventions.  

Since last year, Anambra State like any other States in the country has been battling a surge in insecurity, particularly kidnappings, leading to fierce, relentless and even exaggerated criticisms of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s handling of the crisis. Opposition politicians had a field day hypocritically lampooning the state government. Even critics in cassock turned their hallowed pulpits into vilification platforms against the person of the governor. 

However, Governor Soludo has demonstrated a strategic leadership approach, refusing to be stampeded into rash actions.  His calculated strategy, focusing on long-term solutions and empowering security forces, is now yielding undeniable results, proving his critics wrong and restoring hope to the state.

The recent launch of “Operation Udo Ga-Achi” (Peace Must Reign) and the bolstering of the “Agunechemba” vigilante force was not knee-jerk reaction. It was all a carefully planned initiative designed to dismantle criminal networks at their roots.  The dramatic discovery and demolition of the Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites, also known as ‘La Cruise Hotel,’ in Oba area of the state is a tribute to this strategy. The hotel, masquerading as a legitimate business, was discovered to have housed a horrifying secret: over 30 partitioned graves and a shrine, revealing the gruesome extent of the criminal activities taking place within its walls.

This shocking revelation underscores the insidious nature of the security challenges that have been facing Anambra since last year. Vicious idolatry mixed with ritual bestiality and bloody cultism has become a staple of desperate felons who converged on Anambra like ravenous vultures. Criminals often operate under the guise of normalcy, making detection difficult. But now, Governor Soludo’s approach, targeting such clandestine machinations and establishments directly, is sending a potent message: there will be no safe haven for criminals in Anambra Stste

The government’s commitment to public safety, reinforced by the new homeland security law, is finding expression in these decisive tactics.

Indeed, the discovery of the graves and shrine points to a complex web of criminality, potentially involving ritualistic practices and organised crime.  While understandably causing fear and concern among residents, it also highlights the importance of the government’s focused efforts.  The community’s reaction, a mix of relief and horror, points at the challenge ahead, but also their growing confidence in the government’s resolve. The demolition of the hotel, while a significant victory, is just one step in a larger battle. The Soludo government’s commitment to uncovering and dismantling these networks is clear.

Beyond the immediate operation, Governor Soludo has invested in equipping security operatives with the resources they need to succeed. The provision of a fleet of vehicles and AI-aided security gadgets demonstrates a commitment to modernising law enforcement and improving surveillance capabilities. These tools, praised by security personnel, are already proving crucial in tracking and apprehending criminals. This is just the beginning. 

Thus, the alleged security crisis in Anambra State and Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s response to it, offers a compelling case study in the stark contrast between this reactive tendency and the power of a well-thought-out, strategic approach. While critics clamoured for immediate, visible action, Governor Soludo chose instead to build a foundation for long-term security. Now, as the results of his calculated strategy become increasingly evident, it is time to ask ourselves: isn’t it time we, as a society, learned to value strategic thinking over the fleeting satisfaction of quick fixes?

In the long term, the success of ‘Operation Udo Ga-Achi’ and the ‘Agunechemba’ initiative will not just be about reacting to individual incidents. It is about proactively disrupting criminal operations, dismantling their infrastructure, and restoring a sense of security and hope to the state. As Governor Soludo’s strategic thinking and refusal to be swayed by short-term criticisms are now bearing fruit, Anambra is witnessing a turning of the tide, with hope replacing despair. Yes, the original Solution is still working. Peace will indeed reign in Anambra.

By Christian ABURIME  :

It has become characteristically despicable of some politicians who have nothing to offer to join the fray of any negative conversation about Anambra State. As bad news naturally travels faster and sells cheaper, desperate naysayers are always eager to latch on to any straw of negativity to run down the government. Sadly, such a resort to cheap opportunism and vacuous attacks has become the stock-in-trade for political opponents of Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR. 

Leading the pack of notoriety for cheap opportunism is Labour Party aspirant, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, who is so desperate to become governor that the only path he knows to get there is through malicious condemnations rather than articulating solutions. Over time, he has acquired the mastery of hypocritical wailing, always crying more than the bereaved and pretending to care about public interests. He has now become a fellow traveler to misguided religious leaders who are unfatherly pontificating on security matters. 

Without a doubt, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo’s recent commentary on Anambra’s security situation exemplifies the kind of selective outrage that undermines constructive dialogue about public security. While indeed there are security breaches and every security incident deserves attention, his jaundiced narrative demands scrutiny for its glaring innuendos and political undertones. Ozigbo alleged that “criminals operated freely” in Anambra, “killing and kidnapping at will” during the last festive season. Really? 

Was Ozigbo aware that, despite a few security threats, Ndi Anambra successfully and peacefully hosted many social events across the state during Christmas and New Year celebrations? Did he not also hear that just recently, Anambra State demonstrated its capacity to host high-profile events safely when Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako celebrated his daughter’s traditional wedding in Uli? The well-attended ceremony proceeded without incident, reflecting that the state’s insecurity narrative is being sensationalised just to help the likes of Mr. Ozigbo to score undeserved political points.

Also, Mr. Ozigbo’s assertion that the state government stands aloof and indifferent in the face of ‘insecurity’ is particularly misleading, given recent developments. Has he somehow ignored the import of the imminent launch of special “Operation Udo Ga Chi” (Peace Shall Reign) to intensify stop-and-search surveillance? Is he unaware of the ongoing training of forest guards specifically targeted at curbing kidnapping incidents? Perhaps most tellingly, has he overlooked the government’s pragmatic approach through its amnesty programme, offering redemption paths to those willing to abandon criminal activities? 

Still, while Anambra, like many states, faces security challenges, context matters. The state’s security situation can not be viewed in isolation from broader regional and national challenges. When we consider, for instance, the emergence of dreaded Lakurawa terrorists in the North, the violent cultist activities in Ogun State or a recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) crime report that rates the Southeast region lowest in crime for 2024 nationally, it becomes clear that simplistic political point-scoring does little to address these complex issues.

The role of opposition in a democracy is to offer constructive criticism and viable alternatives, not to weaponise every challenge for political gain. If Mr. Ozigbo has concrete solutions to propose, the people of Anambra would welcome them. However, if his intention is merely to capitalise on security concerns for political mileage, perhaps his silence would better serve our collective interests.

By and large, governance, especially in matters of security, requires a delicate balance between acknowledgment of challenges and implementation of solutions, especially in a federalism like ours where central security control powers are not vested in state governments. Yet, Governor Soludo’s administration has demonstrated a mature understanding through its multi-faceted approach to security. Rather than engaging in inflammatory rhetoric, those truly concerned about Anambra’s welfare, including politicians and religious leaders, might better serve the state by supporting and enhancing the ongoing security efforts being put in place by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to make Anambra Safe for all.

By Chisom Okpala :

Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring security of lives and property in the state.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim made the pledge at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center Awka during the training of Schools Protection Squad, that will help strengthen security resilience and integration of host communities in the protection of education.

According to him, a lot has been done in the education sector of the state and we are glad that the federal government through the Nigerian Police has awaken to the clarion call for the protection of these efforts made so far in schools.

Explaining on the need to protect the future generation, the governor stated that the state is making efforts to promote a safe and conducive learning environment, stressing that with the provision of infrastructures and adequate manpower, there is a paradigm shift in education in the state and people are now moving from private and mission schools to public schools.

He disclosed that more public schools will be built in state, as every community must have a public school, and called for community partnership that involves Traditional Rulers, President Generals and other structured organizations in ensuring safety in schools.

Speaking on behalf of Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Godwin Aghaulor stated that the SPS programme offers promising steps and measures geared towards prioritizing and improving security in and around schools and learning institutions in Anambra State.

He commended Governor Soludo’s unwavering support and commitment to the course of school protection in the state, stating that the safety and security of the educational institutions are paramount and it is imperative that all work together to protect and safeguard the students and educators.

The IG called for collaboration and integration between host communities and security agencies, stressing that it plays a significant role in fostering a secure and harmonious co-existence.

Also, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Obono Nnaghe Itam noted that education holds the future for development and growth of Anambra State and the entire country.

He pointed the need to strengthen the security architecture of the state in order to provide safer communities and to ensure that schools, staff, students and pupils are protected, maintaining that the SPS programme will help to boost the confidence of the Nigerian Police, as well as foster the required partnership with other informal security agencies in the state.

The event was organized by the Nigerian Police Force Strategic Stakeholders Forum on the training of Schools Protection Squad (SPS)

• Okpala is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *