Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed skepticism over whether the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), would resolve the escalating insecurity in the South-East.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Soludo argued that the Biafran struggle had been hijacked by criminals exploiting Kanu’s name to perpetrate organized crime and worsen the insecurity in the region.
There have been several calls from prominent individuals and groups in the region calling for the release of the IPOB leader. The calls have mostly been backed by arguments that the insecurity situation would be brought under control with the release of Kanu.
But Soludo said, “The so-called agitators have transformed into organized criminal gangs,” Soludo stated. “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.”
Soludo explained that under the guise of agitation, many criminals were engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and idolatry, noting that their actions have no connection to the genuine liberation movement.
Read also: CBN limits PoS operators to daily withdrawal of N100K per customer
“Kanu and IPOB have repeatedly dissociated themselves from these criminals,” he said. “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?”
The governor further revealed alarming statistics, noting that over 99% of criminals arrested in Anambra State in the last two years were Igbo, with more than 70% being non-indigenes of the state.
“Our people know these criminals. They are our brothers, cousins, and neighbors,” Soludo lamented. “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?”
Soludo criticized the complicity of some locals in shielding criminals, which he said has fueled insecurity in the region. He called for a change in mindset, urging communities to stop treating security agencies as adversaries and criminals as liberators.
“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.”
As part of efforts to tackle insecurity, Soludo announced the launch of a state-wide security initiative, ‘Operation Udo Ga Chi’ (Operation Peace Shall Reign), set to commence after January 25. The initiative will include: Deployment of 163 branded vehicles for stop-and-search operations, integration of advanced surveillance technology to track criminals and secure forests and training of forest guards to collaborate with local vigilantes and authorities.
“We are intensifying our security measures with both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches,” Soludo said. “I call on these criminals to embrace our amnesty window, which remains open until the end of February.”
The governor urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, and residents to take ownership of their communities and actively cooperate with security agencies in combating crime.
He also thanked the Federal Government and security agencies for their support, reiterating his administration’s commitment to ridding Anambra of criminal elements.
“Anambra must move forward, and we cannot allow criminals to hold us hostage,” Soludo concluded.
The post Soludo counters calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, says it’s unlikely to end S’East insecurity appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.