Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday made a pivotal announcement regarding the security situation in the state. In a bid to address the persistent issues of crime and insecurity, Governor Soludo declared an amnesty program for criminals willing to repent and lay down their arms.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to restore peace and order in Anambra, with a deadline set for the end of February 2025 for individuals to surrender.
Governor Soludo's announcement was made during a press briefing at the Anambra State Governor’s Lodge. He outlined the primary security challenges facing the state, which include armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and touting.
To combat these issues, the governor revealed plans to launch a joint security operation named ‘Operation Udo Ga Achi,’ meaning ‘Let Peace Reign.’ This operation aims to tackle the root causes of insecurity and restore safety across the state.
The governor emphasized the importance of addressing the problem of touting, particularly in Onitsha, where the State Anti-touting Agency (SASA) has been actively working to curb such activities.
He noted that upon assuming office, seven local government areas were heavily affected by criminal activities. However, through concerted efforts, these areas have been liberated from the grip of hoodlums.
Despite these successes, reports have emerged of some dislodged criminals regrouping and continuing to terrorize the state. Incidents of kidnapping and vehicle snatching have been reported, prompting the need for decisive action.
As part of the new security measures, the state government has procured 168 patrol vehicles to be distributed among various security agencies. Additionally, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will be integrated into the fight against crime.
Governor Soludo extended an olive branch to those involved in criminal activities, urging them to take advantage of the amnesty program. He stated, “We are calling on criminal elements who would want to partake in our amnesty programme to come forward and surrender themselves and their arms. We are giving them from now to the end of February to come and surrender, and we will be ready to help them start life afresh.”
The governor also addressed the issue of the continuous incarceration of separatist leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He clarified that the ongoing criminal activities in the state are not linked to Kanu’s detention, as some have claimed. Soludo highlighted that both Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have publicly dissociated themselves from the kidnappings and other criminal acts occurring in the region.
He remarked, “The truth of the matter is that criminals have now emerged, hordes of them organize themselves, using his (Kanu’s) name. I’m not so sure that even if he comes now and says stop, they will hear him.”
The governor expressed concern over the lucrative nature of these criminal enterprises, noting that individuals who have tasted financial gain from such activities are unlikely to abandon them easily. He described the situation as complex, with criminals exploiting the guise of political agitation to garner sympathy and support from uninformed members of the public.
In a bid to further deter criminal activities, Governor Soludo announced stringent measures against communities and individuals found to be harboring criminals.
He warned that lands belonging to communities that shelter criminals would be revoked, and any house used to harbor kidnappers would become government property. He stated, “Also, any house that is found to have harbored kidnappers will henceforth become the property of the government.”
Comentários