The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed doubt that the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will resolve the ongoing insecurity plaguing the South-East region.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, on Tuesday, Soludo stated that the Biafran agitation had been hijacked by criminal elements who now exploit the struggle and Kanu’s name as a cover for their illicit activities.
Soludo said, “The so-called agitators have transformed into organised criminal gangs.
“They hide in forests, kidnapping innocent citizens for ransom, and they justify their atrocities under the pretext of Biafra.
“Let us be clear—this has nothing to do with any liberation movement. Criminality has taken on a life of its own. These people have tasted blood, and now, money is their motivation.”
He explained that these criminals had ventured into armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and other illegal acts, far removed from the original Biafran cause.
Soludo lamented that the criminal elements have tasted blood and are now driven by a hunger for money, not liberation.
Criminal Gangs Have Broken Away From IPOB
The governor emphasized that IPOB, as well as its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had distanced themselves from the activities of these rogue elements.
Even if Kanu is released, Soludo believes it is unlikely that these criminals would heed his call for peace.
“Kanu and IPOB have repeatedly dissociated themselves from these criminals,” Soludo explained. “Even if Nnamdi Kanu is released today, I’m not sure they would listen to him because what they now pursue is wealth, not liberation. They have become enemies of the people they claim to protect. Who are they fighting for when they kidnap and kill their own people?”
He revealed that over 99% of the criminals arrested in Anambra over the past two years were Igbos, with more than 70% of them being non-indigenes of the state.
The governor decried the complicity of some local communities, accusing them of harboring the criminals.
“Our people know these criminals. They are our brothers, cousins, and neighbors,” Soludo said. “It’s unfortunate that in some communities, people contribute food to sustain these criminals hiding in the forests. How do you fight insecurity when people see criminals as heroes and the police as the enemy?”
Operation ‘Udo Ga Chi’ to Reclaim Forests
To address the security challenges, Soludo announced the launch of ‘Operation Udo Ga Chi’ (Operation Peace Shall Reign), a new statewide security initiative scheduled to kick off after January 25.
The initiative will deploy 163 branded vehicles for stop-and-search operations and leverage advanced surveillance technology to track criminals and clear them out of the forests.
He noted that trained forest guards would work alongside vigilantes and local government authorities to reclaim the forests from criminal gangs.
“We are intensifying our security measures with both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. We have trained forest guards to work with vigilantes and LG authorities to reclaim our forests. I call on these criminals to embrace our amnesty window, which remains open until the end of February,” the governor said.
Call for Collective Action
Soludo appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community residents to support the government’s efforts to rid the state of crime.
He stressed that insecurity must be tackled collectively, with citizens playing an active role in identifying and reporting suspicious activities.
“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.”
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and security agencies for their continued support and reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security in Anambra State.
