Why Anambra is the safest state in Nigeria — Gov Soludo

Governor Charles Soludo has explained why he believes Anambra is currently the safest state in Nigeria, citing improved security, dismantling of criminal camps, and a return to normal socio-economic activities.

Speaking during a live media chat in Awka on Friday, Soludo said the state had recorded no major security incident in the past four months and had witnessed an increased influx of visitors during the festive period.

”It is safe today to say, Anambra, we claim to be the safest from all statistics, that within three to four months, we haven’t had any major incident of any sort.

”We had the best Christmas ever in decades this last Christmas with over 10,000 people visiting the city on a daily basis and so on and so forth,” he said.

The governor revealed that his administration had dismantled over 60 criminal camps and restored normalcy in eight local government areas previously under the control of criminal elements.

He also declared that the sit-at-home order linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which had disrupted activities across the South-East, was no longer effective in the state.

”The sit-at-home is over, our schools and markets, factories and public services are back to work. The flights are back to Anambra on Mondays,” he said.

On the reforms driving the security gains, Soludo highlighted legislative and institutional measures introduced since he assumed office.

”So we had a new homeland security law, we created the ones on anti-touting, cultism, and a new homeland security outfit, Agunechemba, and a special intervention force, Ugodachi.”

He also recounted the dire security situation he inherited, noting that residents once faced severe threats for displaying political affiliations.

”In 2021, it was impossible for anybody to wear a political party’s paraphernalia or drive a vehicle around Anambra that was branded; you would be killed.’

“Some people were killed,” he said.

Despite the improvements, the governor acknowledged that achieving absolute security remains unrealistic.

“There is no place with over 100 per cent security,” he said. “It’s not a destination but a work in progress,” the governor added.