With criminals now blatantly operating within Awka, the state capital, Anambra State’s growing wave of insecurity has reached a critical stage.
It appears from recent occurrences in Awka and the surrounding area that criminals have brought their operations to the attention of state governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Residents are increasingly doubting the efficacy of Governor Soludo’s security measures in light of several instances that have occurred in the last week alone.
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The state capital has seen a recent surge in violence. There have been at least 25 fatalities over the course of four days, from Sunday to Thursday.
In Awka, there have been consistent reports of robberies and kidnappers operating in the Ifite-Awka neighbourhood, which is inhabited by students.
Several persons were killed in a recent confrontation between the Enugwu-Ukwu and Nawfia communities.
The most recent event involved the heinous murder of roughly sixteen individuals in Nibo, a community near the governor’s home in Amawbia.
Inaction has resulted from the horrific occurrences, which have caused many to believe that the Soludo-led government is powerless to stop these deaths.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, at least three persons were slain in an attack on inhabitants of Enugwu-Ukwu one month ago. The attack was purportedly carried out by Nawfia community members over a property dispute in Njikoka Local Government Area.
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There have apparently been disputes between the two villages over a piece of land.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, three people were killed and numerous others were injured when unknown individuals from Nawfia allegedly used a phone call to entice some Enugwu-Ukwu inhabitants to the disputed area and then attacked them.
Since then, representatives of the Enugwu-Ukwu community have called on the state government to look into the matter.
Community leader and Nigeria’s former ambassador to Burundi, Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba, expressed astonishment and sadness over the horrific bloodshed.
“Enugwu-Ukwu is currently deliberating on this. Our President-General has informed the state government, and the police authorities at Zone 13, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area, have also been notified. Urgent action is needed to prevent escalation of the crisis,” he stated.
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According to Anaedoonline.ng, three people were killed and numerous others were injured when unknown individuals from Nawfia allegedly used a phone call to entice some Enugwu-Ukwu inhabitants to the disputed area and then attacked them.
Since then, representatives of the Enugwu-Ukwu community have called on the state government to look into the matter.
Community leader and Nigeria’s former ambassador to Burundi, Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba, expressed astonishment and sadness over the horrific bloodshed.
According to one witness, a student, multiple persons were slain in the shooting that occurred in Ifite-Awka at approximately 9:15 a.m. Rising crime rates in Ifite-Awka, which is primarily home to students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, may be connected to cult activity.
According to information obtained by Anaedoonline.ng, a white Toyota Venza SUV driven by gunmen allegedly attempted to hijack a Mercedes-Benz SUV but was stopped by local kids, sparking a violent backlash.
“When they missed their target, they came back and killed the people in the area where they were obstructed,” a source said.
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On Sunday, Nibo community witnessed a similar tragedy when unknown assailants killed about a dozen people.
A survivor, a staff member of the Anambra State Ministry of Information identified as Ichie Oku, recounted his escape: “They pointed a gun at me, but one of them said I was not their target. Still, he aimed at me, but his colleague pushed him, and the bullet struck the wall behind me. That’s how I survived.
“Three people with me were killed instantly. The attackers returned to shoot five others before heading to Eke Nibo, where they killed more people.”
The Nibo community’s security director and vigilante leader, Wadada, described the incident: “One of my vigilante men, Mr. Uchenna Obiekwe, an only son who is unmarried, was killed. The men came in two vehicles, a Lexus Jeep and a Sienna vehicle, both without number plates. They entered Nibo through Amawbia, passing through all the police checkpoints and the governor’s lodge, and opened fire on our people in a shop.
“Many people were injured, including the owner of the shop and his six-year-old daughter, who sustained bullet wounds to their legs. I cannot say for sure who the killers are. I cannot tell for now if they were cultists, unknown gunmen, or just armed robbers, but time will tell.”
Residents and security professionals are alarmed about the incident’s scope, even if many assume cultist involvement. Wadada wondered how the gunmen could have gotten past several security checkpoints with heavy weapons in unmarked cars that might have had tinted windows without drawing attention to themselves.
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An analyst and indigene of the state, Mr Tony Okafor, while reacting to the incident, said: “The gruesome killing spree in Nibo, Anambra State, on Sunday sent shockwaves throughout the state, exposing glaring security inadequacies and raising concerns about Governor Soludo’s ability to recover in time to salvage his reelection bid. This heinous crime occurred near Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s lodge and the State Police and DSS headquarters, exposing Anambra’s porous security.
“While Governor Soludo’s security initiatives have not received a pass mark, Sunday’s incident has worsened the situation. Enhancing security measures and improving intelligence gathering through community engagement are essential.
“Addressing underlying root causes such as the scramble for keke revenue windows and land grabbing is equally crucial. We urge Governor Soludo to take personal responsibility for his people’s security and ensure justice for the perpetrators.”
Okafor presented very worrisome data about the state of security in Anambra, saying: “Data from the Nigeria Police Force reveals 127 reported cult-related violence cases in Anambra from January to September 2024, resulting in 73 deaths and 45 injuries. This alarming trend demands decisive action. The Nibo massacre requires more than explanations and condolences; it demands action.”
Mr. Festus Eze, another respondent, had doubts about the government’s handling of the escalating violence.
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He pointed to instances where officials minimised events, such as the unresolved abduction and killing of journalists in Isseke.
Eze said: “We have completely lost hope in Soludo’s ability to take care of security in Anambra. When the news was about the kidnapping of Anambra people in the Igbariam area by Fulani herdsmen, his aides defended that there were no Fulani herdsmen in Anambra bushes. When kidnappers operated brazenly in broad daylight in Ifite, they also denied it.
“During the recent killing in Enugwu-Ukwu, the community that lost relatives called for an investigation and prosecution of those involved, but we saw nothing. When a team of journalists who were going to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State to cover the Super Eagles’ qualifying match with their Libyan counterparts lost their way and moved into Isseke, where they were kidnapped, we heard nothing from the state government.
“Three of those journalists later lost their lives, but no message of condolence was sent to that effect. Now this one has happened, and police are asking people to come forth with leads, but I think after some time, both police and government will abandon it and move on.”
This writer was informed by a journalist who wished to remain anonymous that he had ceased covering events in the Anambra hinterlands because of criminal activity there.
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The police have said they are keeping a close eye on the situation in the interim.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga responded to threatening voice notes and videos that were making the rounds on social media by saying that the command is looking into the matter and has stepped up patrols to keep the peace.
He said: “Anambra State Police Command begins investigations on some intercepted videos and voice notes on social media threatening violence in the state.
“The Police Command is not taking those clips for granted and, saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order, shall live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others.
“Given the above, the police and other security forces have intensified patrols and improved security dominance and surveillance to enforce the law, maintain public order, public safety, and other support services in the state.”
Criminal activity continues in Anambra in spite of these guarantees, and the growing violence makes the locals feel more and more confined.
Many think that Anambra would see peace again if Governor Soludo could bring back the vigour of his previous administration in tackling security challenges.
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However, Soludo has paid the Nibo indigenous people a visit to offer them his condolences and reassure them that those responsible for the deed would not escape punishment.
He promised to crack down on cultism in the state during his visit, which took place a day after the attack.
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