Securing the homeland: how Soludo reclaimed Anambra from fear to sanctuary of  safety and peace 

By Christian ABURIME

The security of lives and property is desirable and imperative for sustainable development in any society.

Yet, insecurity is a global phenomenon that may not be totally erased but can be reduced to tolerable levels where people can live and work with peace of mind.

Three years ago, Anambra State trembled under the weight of fear of insecurity: criminal gangs, masked gunmen jolted the peace of the state.

But under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, a decisive battle began not just to secure lives and property but to lay the foundation for peaceful, livable, and prosperous homeland

Today, Anambra is no longer a dreaded zone; it is becoming a sanctuary of safety and peace.

When Governor Soludo assumed office in March 2022, nine local government areas were under the grip of terror.

His response was immediate, strategic, and unflinching.

The creation of a 250-man AVG Strike Force, coordinated security synergy, and high-tech interventions, including AI surveillance and robust intelligence gathering, dismantled over 60 criminal camps.

Hidden shrines, decomposed bodies, ransom records: Anambra stared down its demons.

Giving the war on crime and insecurity a new lease, the Homeland Security Law of 2025 birthed the Agunechemba Security Outfit and integrated smart tech into law enforcement.

Over 2,000 security operatives and 200 specialised vehicles were deployed, combing not just Onitsha or Awka and other crime-proned areas but also the psychological climate of the entire state.

The slogan “Udo ga achi” (Peace shall reign) is no longer a wishful thinking; it is reality as Ndi Anambra can sleep with two eyes closed, live unmolested, work unrestrained, socialise freely and visit unsacred.

In addition to putting boots on the ground, the palpable psychological fears amongst the citizenry were addressed by Governor Soludo.

By setting up “The Truth, Justice and Peace Commission,” led by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu.

This body explored root causes of insecurity, giving rise to the Bureau of Missing Persons, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Governor Soludo is also passionately advocating ‘value reformation’ – a mental and moral shift of Anambra youth from criminal get-rich-quick pursuits to the ennobling values of hard work, honesty, enterprise, and integrity as a sustainable path to wealth and good life.

Strategically, law enforcement and judicial reform also received attention.

With digital courtrooms, virtual hearings in 30 high courts and 4 correctional centres, and automated filing systems, Anambra’s justice delivery has evolved into a model of modern efficiency.

Small Claims Courts now resolve minor disputes swiftly, a vital innovation for the common man.

Governor Soludo’s war on disorder expanded to markets and motor parks. Over 1,500 touts were arrested by the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA), restoring sanity in the bustling Greater Onitsha metropolis.

Twenty executive bills, ranging from Anti-Touting to Criminal Justice Reforms, have been signed into law.

These are not just laws on paper; they are the infrastructure of a new civil order in the state.

Today, three good years on Governor Soludo’s crusade against insecurity and lawlessness is not just about arresting criminals; it is about building a just, wholesome society.

With a justice system that works, technology-driven enforcement, and strategic legislative reforms, Anambra has moved from anxiety to assurance, from fear to freedom.

The question is no longer whether the current atmosphere of peace and security can be sustained, but the glaring reasons Ndi Anambra should re-elect Governor Soludo to continue the revolution!

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