Victor Ezeja
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has signed the Anambra Homeland Security Act into Law and also launched a Special Security Operation tagged ‘Operation Udo Ga-Achi’.
Prime Business Africa had reported that the Anambra State House of Assembly on Thursday, passed the Homeland Security Bill.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe law embodies critical provisions including the creation of a new security outfit known as “Agunaechemba,” responsible for maintaining law and order, detecting and preventing crimes, and protecting lives and properties in the state.
Speaking during the event held at the International Conference Centre, Akwa, the state capital on Saturday, Governor Soludo urged all stakeholders and residents in the state to join hands in the implementation of the Homeland Security law with immediate effect.
He called on all communities including traditional rulers, president-generals, and mayors of respective local government areas to urgently set up relevant security governance structures.
Soludo said that in implementing the new security arrangement, his administration would work with the Commissioner of Police and DSS to identify the top 10 local government areas (LGAs) with history of violent crimes.
The governor promised that a monthly bonus of ₦10 million will be paid for every month that any of these LGAs records zero violent crimes.
“We will map out communities and also design a reward system,” Soludo stated.
He urged each community to design and execute its own “cleansing or restoration programme”.
He also pointed out that a partnership of the church and traditional institutions and town unions might aid the process.
For whistleblowers, the governor said anyone who gives 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 ₦5 million (depending on the class of criminal).
“Today, we launch a Special intervention force code named: ‘Operation Udo Ga-Achi’ which translates to Operation Peace Shall Prevail. This special intervention, as an emergency action, complements regular policing by upscaling intelligence gathering, reward whistleblowers, enhance rapid response, and urgently root out the criminals from any/every camp in Anambra state,” Soludo stated.
He further clarified that the special security operation will also have special task forces on drugs, touting, cultism, and criminal idolatry.
While emphasising the need for effective communication, the governor said people in the communities are needed to give credible information to security agencies.
“Operation Udo Ga–Achi shall also be supported by the State’s recently established independent communication network which enables security personnel to communicate flawlessly using walkie talkies. We need people in the communities to give information to security agencies. Where you feel information given will be used against you, relay such information through our phone lines in Anambra State Call Centre.”
He also disclosed that his administration will come up with possible ways to assist existing correctional centres to expand their facilities and will embark on building the State’s Correctional centres.
He also hinted at plans to gradually re-build the 28 divisional police offices that were burnt down by hoodlums across the state. This he said, will be done in partnership with the Federal Government, communities, patriotic Anambra citizens and corporations.
Soludo also reiterated his offer of hands of friendship and amnesty to kidnappers, cultists, drug dealers and other categories of criminals in the state to surrender themselves, with their weapons, adding that his government “will ensure that they are rehabilitated and empowered to become productive citizens.”
He gave all persons wishing to take advantage of the offer to register at the Office of the Security Adviser to the Governor, adding that the window remains open until 28 February 2025.
The governor offered a similar gesture when he assumed office in 2022.
He expressed gratitude to all citizens and friends of Anambra State who have contributed to the State Security Trust Fund.
While pointing out that Security is a collective responsibility and cannot be done by government alone, he stressed that “sustainable security in our homeland requires full scale involvement of responsible citizenship.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
