- Soludo revealed that over 99% of criminals arrested in Anambra in the past two years were Igbo, with more than 70% being non-indigenes of the state
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has announced the launch of a state-wide security initiative, ‘Operation Udo Ga Chi’ (Operation Peace Shall Reign), aimed at tackling the growing insecurity in the region.
The operation is set to commence after January 25.
According to Governor Soludo, the initiative is in response to the hijacking of the Biafran struggle by criminals, who are now using it to perpetrate organised crime and fuel insecurity in the South-East region. Soludo revealed that over 99% of criminals arrested in Anambra in the past two years were Igbo, with more than 70% being non-indigenes of the state.
The governor expressed concerns that the release of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, may not end the crisis, as the criminals appear to have severed ties with the original agitation. Soludo emphasized that the Biafran struggle has been turned into “lucrative criminality,” with individuals using Kanu’s name to engage in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and idolatry.
To address the issue, ‘Operation Udo Ga Chi’ will deploy 163 branded vehicles for stop-and-search activities and integrate advanced surveillance technology to track criminals and secure forests. The governor also announced an amnesty window, which remains open until the end of February, urging criminals to surrender and cooperate with security agencies.
Soludo called for collective action, urging religious leaders, traditional rulers, and residents to take ownership of their communities and cooperate with security agencies. “Insecurity is a monster that must be confronted collectively,” the governor emphasized. “If you see something, say something. Anambra will no longer be a haven for criminals masquerading as freedom fighters.”