Anambra, a state that was once adjudged as the safest in the country, would later be identified with insecurity is troubling considering the fact that the state has so much going for it, being one state in Nigeria that parades a large number of billionaires and industrial giants.

Fortunately for Ndi Anambra, the launch of Agunaechemba, a security squad by Prof. Charles Soludo, a few days ago, has brought smiles to the faces of the citizens, with the hope that peace has finally returned to their homeland, because as they say, “security is everything”.

However, it is important to note that insecurity in Anambra State predated the administration of Professor Chukwuma Soludo. Other governors before Soludo were confronted by insecurity as well.

It is heartwarming that Governor Soludo has nipped the problem in the bud with the landmark launch of Homeland Security Law 2025, ‘Agunechemba’ vigilante squad, and Operation Udo Ga-Achi.

The good thing about this is that the citizens will now sleep with their eyes shut if they are ready to support the governor to achieve the laudable initiative because security is everybody’s business.

Recall that during the launch of Agunechemba on Saturday, the Governor’s address was emotional and captivating, restating the fact that he was indeed disturbed more than everybody else concerning the prevailing security situation in the state.

He started by calling Anambrians his brothers and sisters. He went down memory lane to mention some of the unfortunate incidents that happened. He also expressed his determination to fight criminality and ensure that Anambra becomes the safest state in Nigeria.

He said, ” Umụ Nne m Ndi Anambra! The 17th of January 2025 marked our two years and ten months in office as Governor of Anambra State. True to our promise last month to take decisive actions on security, it is auspicious that we mark this anniversary and begin the new year with the events of today.

“Security, law and order remain pivotal to the attainment of our vision of a liveable and prosperous homeland. The massive revolution by our administration in all sectors which are appreciated by Ndi Anambra must be cemented with a robust security system with zero tolerance for criminality. I want to assure you that despite the unique challenges of lucrative criminality adorned with deceptive ideology and propaganda, we are determined to fight criminality and ensure that Anambra becomes the safest state in Nigeria. The Homeland Security Law 2025 which I signed a few minutes ago, the special operation we are launching today (Operation Udo Ga Achi), deployment of technology, plus a gamut of other initiatives especially the massive support of the federal security agencies and citizens’ collective action constitute our comprehensive and sustainable response.

“The character and dynamics of criminality in the Southeast and Nigeria have evolved and become hydra-headed, and so our response must be thoughtful, deliberate and comprehensive, involving both the kinetic and non-kinetic agenda. For example, kidnapping for ransom is not new. I recall that my 78-year-old father was kidnapped in 2009 and he spent 15 days with his abductors in the bush. Earlier that year, the oil mogul, Chief Anthony Enukeme (Tonimas), Chief Paul Okonkwo (Pokobros), Chief G.U.O Okeke, etc were kidnapped in the state. It was as if Armageddon had come. My predecessor tackled the menace head-on.

“However, in about 20 months before we assumed office in March 2022, a variant of the criminal gang under the guise of separatist agitation emerged with command-and-control centres. They killed policemen and soldiers at checkpoints and collected their guns. They attacked and burnt down many police stations. Sadly, most stakeholders kept mute. They set up camps in the bushes and forests and labelled themselves as “liberators”. Most people did not pay attention and very few cared to ask how these people with arms will be feeding from month to month or year to year or how they will be funding their operations.”

The hardworking Governor went ahead to call the people to join hands with him to achieve the giant task, he also made financial commitments when he promised to pay N10 million monthly bonus to any local government maintaining zero violent crime rates in high-risk areas.

He added, “Let’s begin the implementation of the Homeland Security law immediately. We call on all communities (traditional rulers, president-generals, etc) to read the law and set up the relevant security governance structures urgently. We plan to start paying monthly security support/grant to communities to augment their investment in security.

“The Mayors of respective local governments should also act urgently. We will work with the Commissioner of Police and DSS to identify the top 10 LGAs with history of violent crimes. As communicated to the DPOs and Area Commanders, we will pay a monthly bonus of N10 million for every month that any of these LGAs records zero violent crimes. We will map out communities and also design a reward system. In the meantime, we encourage each community to design and execute its own “cleansing or restoration programme”. A partnership of the church and traditional institutions/ town unions might aid the process. For whistleblowers, anyone that gives us credible information that leads to the arrest of any kidnapper/ armed robber or information that leads to rounding up of criminals in a camp will be paid a bounty of any amount up to a maximum of N5 million (depending on the class of criminal).”

To ensure that the initiative is successful, he went further to extended a hand of fellowship to the criminals. “Before we conclude, let me reiterate our extension of hand of friendship and amnesty to kidnappers, cultists, drug dealers and other categories of criminals to surrender themselves, with their weapons and my government will ensure that they are rehabilitated and empowered to become productive citizens. All persons wishing to take advantage of this window should register at the Office of the Security Adviser to the Governor. This window remains open until February 28, 2025.”

“Security is our collective responsibility. Government alone cannot do it. Federal security agencies alone cannot do it. Sustainable security in our homeland requires full scale involvement of responsible citizenship. These criminals are our brothers, sisters, husbands, relations, friends, etcetera. They are not spirits. They live among us, and we know them. The fact is that 99% of these criminals arrested in Anambra since my 34 months in office are Igbos. We are fighting a different kind of organised armies of criminals – a kind that Anambra has never seen before. But we must prevail. We must all collectively confront the warped ideology and agitation that lead many among us to view security personnel as the enemy, and the criminals as the liberators.

“Those who contribute food and money and send to the criminals in the bushes are part of the problem, and we will begin to treat them as collaborators/criminals. I call on everyone—the town unions, clergy, traditional rulers and all civil society organisations to join in deconstructing the dangerous narratives that legitimize this criminality. For our long-term survival, we must rise up and fight together. If you see or know something, say or do something! Silence means complicity.

“Complaint is not enough. Every resident or citizen of Anambra must every day ask what he/she has done that day to enhance security and prosperity of the homeland. Only collective action will guarantee sustainable success.”

The action taken by the governor resonates with Ndi Anambra and other residents of the Southeast state that even the leader of Hausa community in Amawbia (Sarkin Hausawa Amawbia), Alhaji Mahmud Sani-Garba, hailed the Governor for the new security initiative to protect life and property of the citizenry and he expressed the hope that it would usher in peace and public order.

The Sarkin who urged the new recruits to work within the confines of the law establishing the outfit, called on the operatives not to take law into their hands.

He called on the state government to include the Hausa community in the decision-making organ of the new security initiative in order to exercise effective and better monitoring, control and influence over their members’ movement.

He promised that non-indigenes, particularly the Hausa community members would cooperate with the government and ensure the success of the initiative by being law-abiding.

According to him, the Agunechemba security outfit, will assist the police and other sister security agencies to prevent crimes and combat security challenges, thereby providing an enabling environment for the state government to concentrate and increase the pace of work on infrastructure and other developmental strides.

The Hausa community leader noted that the new policing outfit is a new year package which Soludo is giving to the indigenes and residents in the state and prayed for peace and harmony among them.

An indigene of Anambra State resident in Lagos, Mr. Chime Odiaka, who spoke with our reporter, lauded the governor for the initiative.

He said that with the development he will start vising the state as regularly as possible even to carryout out his business.

He said, “I had to suspend some business activities over there because of fear of being attacked. Stories coming out from my state were troubling. Anytime you think of traveling you will be worried because you don’t know what you would meet. Even when you manage to travel, you will be hiding. Some of us have not travelled with our cars in a very long time. Others will stop at Asaba and be visiting our own dear state like thieves prowling to steal something. You cannot move with boldness into you state again. I must say that the move by the governor is commendable. He has really delighted us by coming up with his initiative and I can assure you that all Anambrarian will give him every support that he needs to succeed. We can now go back to normal life. Anambra is a prosperous state with hard working and industrious people. We were disturbed when some criminals decided to make the place their abode, making lives hellish for us. We will join hands with the Governor and the new homeland security outfit to show them the way out of our state.

While expressing his delight with the action of the Governor, who is also called Mr. Solution, a member of the Board of Trustees, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Ben Nwankwo, had in a piece that he titled “Its Finished”, stated that Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, forthrightly responded to the lingering shadows of insecurity that have plagued the beloved state with the launch of the Agunechemba security outfit and the bold declaration of a ‘war’ codenamed ‘operation Udo Ga-Chi’.

“This decisive action underscores a comprehensive approach to restoring peace and security in Anambra—a testament to the unparalleled commitment of the Solution Administration.”

Nwankwo added, “In a time when fear loomed over our communities, threatening to undermine the commendable strides we’ve made in infrastructure development and governance, the initiative launched by Governor Soludo is a clear message: “It Is Finished” for the criminals. Their reign of terror and opportunistic disregard for the law is ended. For the political opposition, who have sought to exploit the insecurity for their gain in the power gain, let this also resound: “It Is Finished”. Your attempts at tarnishing the record of Solution Administration will falter against the robust actions our governor is undertaking.

“Wind back the clock two years and ten months, and one can see a state transforming under the visionary leadership of Prof. Soludo, a leader who not only articulates a vision but executes it with exceptional precision. The Agunechemba outfit is more than just a security measure. It is a holistic, quality-driven response to the multifaceted challenges we face, ensuring that Anambra State will soon be recognised as the most secure in Nigeria. This is not mere rhetoric; the groundwork has been laid for a renaissance of peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

“To the criminals lurking in the shadows: Your time is up. The people of Anambra are no longer shackled by the chains of fear. We’re rallying behind our governor, whose leadership transcends politics. He is the embodiment of resolve, ingenuity, and a steadfast commitment to our people. With the backing of the newly signed homeland law and the unwavering support of organisations like APGA, we are poised to reclaim our streets, our markets, and our peace.

“As we approach the upcoming elections, the narrative being spun by the opposition will crumble under the weight of our governor’s substantive achievements. Instead of capitalising on insecurity, they will witness the blooming resurgence of a state vibrant with opportunity, an Anambra ready to welcome investors once more with open arms. The infrastructural revolutions and logistics advancements combined with prudent fiscal governance make our state not just competitive but a benchmark for others to emulate.

“Anambra is weary of the muddling-through approaches and infantile experimentation methods that the opposition will bring to the table but has embraced Solution as a tested and trusted way forward.”

Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in his piece which he titled, “Keeping Anambra Safe: Soludo’s New Multi-Faceted Offensive Approach” noted the historic moves made by Soludo.

He said, “The governor’s approach is particularly noteworthy for its recognition that security challenges in the Southeast have evolved beyond conventional crime. The acknowledgement that about 70% of arrested criminals are non-residents of Anambra underscores the state’s attraction as a target for organised crime due to its economic vitality. This insight has informed the development of a security response that goes beyond traditional policing methods.

“The integration of technology stands out as a potentially game-changing element of the new security framework. The deployment of AI-powered surveillance cameras, advanced tracking systems, and a modern command-and-control centre represents a significant modernisation of security infrastructure. This technological backbone could prove crucial in preventing crimes and enabling rapid response to security incidents.

“Perhaps the most innovative aspect of Governor Soludo’s strategy is its economic incentivisation approach. The N10 million monthly bonus for maintaining zero violent crime rates in high-risk areas creates a powerful motivation for proactive policing. Similarly, the whistleblower reward system of up to N5 million could significantly enhance intelligence gathering, historically a weak point in Nigerian security operations.

“The creation of ‘Agunechemba’, the state’s new vigilante architecture, reflects an understanding that effective security requires both top-down and bottom-up approaches. This hybrid structure, combining state-level strike forces with community-based security units, could prove effective in addressing the localised nature of many security challenges while maintaining centralised coordination.

“The governor’s frank acknowledgement that “99% of these criminals arrested in Anambra since the administration’s 34 months in office are Igbos” demonstrates a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. This honesty could be crucial in mobilising community support and challenging narratives that legitimise criminal activities under various guises.

“The financial commitment demonstrated through the provision of 200 specialised vehicles and 2,000 security personnel indicates serious intent.

“However, the success of this initiative will largely depend on sustained funding and political will, this Governor Soludo has amply demonstrated, particularly given his stern warning about turbulent months ahead as criminals test the new security framework.

“Furthermore, the introduction of property forfeiture laws for drug-related offences adds teeth to the anti-drug trafficking efforts, potentially disrupting the economic incentives driving the trade. Combined with community-based drug control programs, this could significantly impact one of the root causes of insecurity.

“Despite its comprehensive nature, the strategy’s success will ultimately depend on citizen participation and interstate cooperation, given that criminal activities often transcend state boundaries. The emphasis on community ownership of security through the Homeland Security Law provides a framework for sustained citizen engagement, but its effectiveness will depend on the citizens’ cooperation, which Governor Soludo has earnestly appealed for.

“Governor Soludo’s security offensive represents a bold attempt to address both immediate security challenges and their underlying causes. While the coming months will test its effectiveness, (the cheering news is that the social media platforms are already awash of crimes already being busted and criminals be arrested) the strategy’s comprehensive nature, technological backbone, and community-oriented approach provide a strong foundation for sustainable security improvement in Anambra State.

“This security architecture model of Governor Soludo could indeed offer valuable lessons for other Nigerian states grappling with similar security challenges. And for the avoidance of doubt, Governor Soludo has now offered a robust response to silent the critics exploiting the insecurity narratives to weave negativity about the state and its government. Surely, Anambra will continue to win.