Victor Ezeja
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has clarified that his government is not against traditional worship as there is freedom of religion in Nigeria’s constitution.
Soludo, however, said his government will not allow those involved in preparing charms and other fetish practices for protecting kidnappers and armed robbers to operate in the state.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe governor stated this on Saturday during the burial of late Justice Chukwunenye Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who was kidnapped and killed by criminals recently.
Soludo’s comments followed reactions in some quarters against the new security arm called Agunechemba whose operatives are going after criminals and alleged native doctors involved in preparing charms for protection and rituals for quick wealth.
The governor said he is not moved by criticisms against his approach to security and the new outfit (Agunechemba) his government set up to tackle criminalities, asserting his quest is to make Anambra the most secure state in Nigeria.
He said those condemning Agunechemba security are the people who celebrate those working with kidnappers and armed robbers that terrorise the state.
“Some people are condemning the security outfit we set up, and even calling me names but we don’t care about what they are saying. “Anambra must be secured to be the most secure state in Nigeria,” Soludo stated.
READ ALSO: Soludo, Obi, Umeh Attend Burial Of Slain Anambra Lawmaker, Azuka
“The people condemning the Agunechemba security are the people who celebrate those working with kidnappers and armed robbers who terrorize us.
“We are not against traditional worship because there is freedom of religion in our constitution. But If you are preparing charms and doing other fetish things to protect kidnappers and armed robbers, we will never allow you to operate here.
“The kidnappers have crossed the line and we are after them now.”
Soludo expressed dismay over the way youths involved in criminalities are taking human lives. He said many people have been kidnapped in the past and ransom paid but kidnappers today kill their victims even after collecting ransom.
He said such acts should be condemned, vowing that his government would do everything possible to stop them.
“Many people have in the past been kidnapped and ransoms were paid and they were released. But youths these days kidnap and kill their victims even when they have collected ransom.
“We must condemn what they are doing and it must stop, we will not allow them to continue the wickedness.”
READ ALSO: Soludo Signs Anambra Homeland Security Act Into Law, Launches Special Security Operation
The governor debunked claims that those who abducted Hon. Azuka withdrew ₦100 million from his bank account before they killed him.
He said that never happened, claiming that the lawmaker’s account was blocked immediately when they got information that he had been abducted.
He assured that justice will be served to those involved in the gruesome killing of the lawmaker, adding that such will never happen again.
Azuka, who represented Onitsha North Constituency 1, was gruesomely murdered by criminals who kidnapped him on 24 December 2024.
His decomposing body was found at the foot of Second Niger bridge by a joint team of security operatives recently.
The incident drew outrage from members of the public over the level of insecurity in the state.
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.
