Anambra State has been gripped by a troubling wave of violence, with brazen criminal activity now encroaching on Awka, the state’s capital, and even nearing the residence of Governor Chukwuma Soludo. The recent escalation in crime has left many residents questioning the effectiveness of Soludo’s security measures, as killings, kidnappings, and clashes continue unabated.
In the past week alone, over 25 lives have been lost to violent incidents across Awka and surrounding areas, including the student-dominated Ifite-Awka neighborhood. In one particularly horrific episode, about 16 people were killed in Nibo, a town close to Governor Soludo’s residence in Amawbia. Witness accounts describe shocking scenes of gunmen, driving unmarked vehicles, terrorizing residents in broad daylight—an audacious display that has raised concerns over the state’s current security measures.
Governor Soludo’s administration initially earned praise for its proactive stance on security, yet recent events have cast doubt on his ability to contain the rising violence. “We’ve lost hope in Soludo’s ability to address Anambra’s security concerns,” lamented local resident Festus Eze, who recounted previous instances of unresolved criminal cases. Echoing this sentiment, other community leaders, including Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba, have called on the government for immediate and decisive action, urging the state to intensify its response before the violence escalates further.
In response to the mounting crisis, Soludo visited the affected communities, promising swift action against cultism and pledging that those behind these attacks would face justice. However, with data from the Nigeria Police Force reporting 127 cult-related violence cases and 73 deaths in Anambra from January to September 2024 alone, many fear that the situation may spiral out of control without aggressive intervention.
This surge in violence comes as Anambra’s police and security forces are reportedly increasing patrols and intensifying their investigation into a series of threatening social media videos and messages. The police, led by spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga, affirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order, vowing to ensure no group would infringe on residents’ rights.
Governor Soludo’s visit to Nibo and his assurances of a clampdown on criminal activities have been received with cautious optimism by residents. However, analysts caution that only sustained security reforms and heightened vigilance can restore peace to the troubled state. The situation has sparked nationwide conversations on the need for enhanced intelligence, stricter law enforcement, and the urgency of addressing Anambra’s entrenched issues of land disputes, revenue control conflicts, and cultism.
