Anambra State is calm now, very calm. No one should be contesting this. People can now move about without fear of being bundled into a car or shot at. Not that it won’t happen sometimes, as there is nowhere in the world that there is no crime. But the Anambra of today has hit a purple patch as long as security is concerned.
This is all about the coming on board of the Agunechemba Security Outfit under Gov Chukwuma Soludo’s ”Udo Ga Achi” security master plan. This outfit has sent the bad boys packing, thus giving the citizenry a much desired breather.
This outfit is waxing strong and giving the citizenry hope and confidence. Today, parts of the state hitherto annexed by the hoodlums have been liberated and normalcy has returned there.
In Ihiala, one of the towns worst hit during the height of infamy, life is returning to normal and people are now beginning to return, while businesses are also opening up on Mondays. This was not possible a short while ago.
For this we give kudos to the Administration of Gov Soludo which has finally been able to find solution to the insecurity that ravaged the state. It is a case of never being too late to act. Indeed, for a long while, it seemed as though Soludo’s Government had no answer to the onslaught by the hoodlums as the people of the state cried for protection from the Government.
It led to the killing of some prominent people, including two serving members of the State House of Assembly. While one had his head severed, the other’s body was found decomposing beside the Second Niger Bridge.
The outrage trailing this second one was massive and the Government came under severe criticism until it launched the present security outfit, Agunechemba. What is happening now is what many had always wanted and a new lease of life is now being seen and felt in the state.
What is of concern now is that the momentum be sustained so that it will not be a case of launching it as part of politics to garner support. People want to still see this security outfit working and getting better if the present regime is re-elected. It is particularly important, since the Southeast Governors have not deemed it fit to come together to initiate a move that will rid the entire zone of criminals.
As it is, the hoodlums sacked from Anambra are likely to be cooling off in nearby states from where they will be monitoring the situation. If they see any lapse, they will likely hit again and return to their bases in the border towns. This is why efforts should be made to sustain the momentum. We hope this will be the case as we luxuriate in the new found peace in the state.
But the Government should also ensure that the outfit does not become politicised, as to be used to hunt down perceived opponents. Doing that will rubbish the noble idea behind their formation.
