Security in Anambra: beyond panic to collective action

By Christian Aburime

As long as society remains imperfect and imperfect humans inhabit society, crime will never cease to exist, but it can be reduced. Thus, threats to the security of lives and property are a recurring global phenomenon, no matter how advanced societies are. The recent incidents of crime, particularly kidnapping, in Anambra State have understandably raised concerns among citizens and sparked heated discussions about public safety. While these concerns merit attention, it is crucial to approach the security discourse with objectivity and a balanced perspective that acknowledges both challenges and progress.

It would be recalled that there was a time that fiendish criminals notoriously tagged Unknown Gun Men held sway in Anambra State. They unleashed their malevolence at will, robbing, killing, and terrorising Ndi Anambra with brazen impunity across precincts of the state. Then, it was the first, most urgent challenge that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s new government had to confront, and it did so decisively with the cooperation of our gallant security agencies. The so-called Unknown Gun Men beat a retreat, violent crimes were drastically reduced, and Ndi Anambra breathed a sigh of relief.

With the rising costs of living, many people were and are still under pressure of survival. Hence, some may have taken to crimes like kidnapping as the fastest routes to making money. But contrary to some alarmist narratives, recent Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) presents a more nuanced picture. According to the NBS report, the Southeast region, which includes Anambra State, actually recorded the lowest crime rates among all regions in Nigeria in 2024. This statistical evidence suggests that while security challenges exist, they are neither unique to Anambra nor as severe as sometimes portrayed by critics in public discourse.

Meanwhile, the state government has demonstrated commitment to addressing security concerns through consistent support to law enforcement agencies. From providing logistics to ensuring adequate funding, these efforts reflect an understanding that security infrastructure requires sustained investment.

It will also be recalled few weeks ago that Governor Soludo made profound pronouncements on the readiness of the State government to deal decisively with criminals with the new security apparatus in place. This is also inspite of the two months amnesty given to the criminals to surrender themselves to the state government for proper rehabilitation or face devastating consequences

However, the government’s role, while crucial, represents only one piece of a complex puzzle.

Security, by its nature, universally demands a collaborative approach. The most effective security systems worldwide rely on active citizen participation, intelligence sharing, and community engagement. When citizens withhold information or choose political criticism over constructive dialogue, they inadvertently weaken the security architecture they seek to strengthen.

Indeed, critics of the current security situation raise valid points that deserve attention. However, sometimes, the tendency to politicise security challenges or exaggerate incidents for ulterior motives serves no one’s interests. Such approaches only create unnecessary panic and potentially hamper ongoing security operations. What Anambra needs now is a unified approach where government efforts are complemented by citizen cooperation. This means regular intelligence sharing between communities and security agencies, constructive dialogue between critics and government officials, community-level security awareness and vigilance, and reduced politicisation of security issues.

The path forward thus requires acknowledging that security threats exist while avoiding overamplification of these challenges. It demands recognition of government efforts while pushing for continued improvement. Most importantly, it calls for understanding that security is a shared responsibility that transcends political affiliations. It requires the active participation of all stakeholders, working together with a shared commitment to public safety. While the government maintains its leadership role in security matters, citizens must step up to play their part in this crucial endeavour. This is wishing Ndi Anambra a safer New Year.

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