Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that the call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not directly related to addressing the insecurity issues in the South East region. Soludo argued that criminals have hijacked the Biafran struggle, using Kanu’s name and the movement’s cause to carry out organized crime and exacerbate insecurity in the region.
According to Soludo, these individuals have shifted from agitation to “lucrative criminality,” engaging in activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and idolatry. He emphasized that these actions are driven by greed and lawlessness, rather than a legitimate desire for liberation.
Soludo revealed that over 99% of criminals arrested in Anambra in the past two years were of Igbo descent, with more than 70% being non-indigenes of the state. He stated that the so-called agitators had turned into organized criminal gangs, hiding in forests and kidnapping innocent people for ransom while justifying their actions under the pretext of Biafra.
The governor doubted that Kanu’s release would resolve the crisis, as the criminals had seemingly severed any ties to the original agitation. He pointed out that even if Kanu were released, these individuals might not follow him, as their new pursuit was wealth rather than liberation.
To combat the situation, Soludo announced the launch of ‘Operation Udo Ga Chi’ (Operation Peace Shall Reign), a statewide security initiative set to begin after January 25. The operation would involve 163 branded vehicles for stop-and-search activities, as well as advanced surveillance technology to track criminals and secure the forests.
Soludo called for collective action in tackling the insecurity crisis, urging religious leaders, traditional rulers, and residents to take ownership of their communities and collaborate with security agencies.
