Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, expressed skepticism on Tuesday about the potential for Nnamdi Kanu’s release to end the ongoing insecurity in the South-East region.
Soludo argued that criminal groups had co-opted the Biafran struggle and were now using Kanu’s name to justify their illegal activities, which have escalated insecurity across the region.
According to Soludo, individuals who initially claimed to be fighting for Biafra had devolved into criminal enterprises, engaging in activities like kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and other unlawful acts.
He emphasized that these crimes were driven not by political motives but by greed and lawlessness.
At a press briefing in Amawbia, Soludo revealed alarming statistics about crime in Anambra, noting that over 99% of the criminals arrested in the state in the past two years were from the South-East, with more than 70% being non-indigenes.
He lamented the transformation of the so-called agitators into well-organized criminal gangs operating from forests, engaging in kidnappings and extortions while hiding behind the Biafran cause.
“These criminals are no longer driven by the ideals of the Biafran struggle but by the pursuit of wealth,” Soludo stated.
“Their actions are harming their own people, yet they justify their brutality under the pretext of fighting for liberation.”
Soludo also expressed doubts that the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu would bring an end to the violence, pointing out that Kanu and IPOB had distanced themselves from the criminals responsible for the current wave of violence.
He suggested that even if Kanu were freed, the criminals would likely not heed his call, as their motives had shifted from seeking freedom to seeking financial gain.
The governor criticized the role some local communities played in supporting the criminals, with some residents providing sustenance to those hiding in the forests.
He lamented that in some areas, security forces were seen as adversaries, while criminals were regarded as heroes.
To combat the growing insecurity, Soludo announced the launch of Operation Udo Ga Chi (Operation Peace Shall Reign) after January 25, a comprehensive security initiative aimed at restoring peace across the state.
The operation will deploy 163 branded vehicles for stop-and-search activities, along with advanced surveillance technology to monitor criminal activities and secure forests.
“We are intensifying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to reclaim our forests and restore peace,” Soludo said.
He also called on criminals to embrace the state’s amnesty program, which remains open until the end of February.
Urging residents, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to take ownership of their communities, Soludo stressed that collective action was essential to defeating insecurity.
“Anambra will no longer be a sanctuary for criminals masquerading as freedom fighters,” he stated.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and security agencies for their support in tackling crime and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security in the state.
