By Tony Okafor
For the past year, Anambra State has enjoyed a respite from the reign of fear that once gripped communities across the state.
Through high-tech policing introduced by Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu, and with the Udo Ga-Achi security initiative plus the operations of Agunechemba, criminality was pushed to its barest minimum.
Kidnappers, armed robbers and other violent criminals who had turned parts of the state into theatres of terror were forced into retreat. Ndi Anambra breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Today, however, there are troubling signs that those gains may be under threat.
Recent weeks have witnessed a resurgence of violent crime, especially within the Awka Capital Territory and along the Unizik-Amansea axis. Reports of kidnappings, armed attacks and other criminal activities have again begun to dominate public discourse.
The latest and most alarming incident was the deadly attack on the convoy of Dr. Ben Nwankwo, Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, along the Ndiukwuenu-Amansea Road. The assault reportedly claimed the lives of two police officers attached to the convoy and two civilians.
Whether the attack was a targeted operation or a criminal ambush, as suggested by the police, is beside the point. The fact remains that heavily armed criminals were bold enough to strike on a major road leading into the state capital. That alone should concern every resident and every security stakeholder in Anambra.
The growing insecurity along the Amansea corridor is particularly worrying. This route serves as a major gateway into Awka and has increasingly become associated with criminal activity. Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, residents, traders and commuters who ply the road daily deserve better protection.
The question that arises is: what has gone wrong?
Has the momentum of Udo Ga-Achi waned? Has Agunechemba, which once struck fear into criminals, become less proactive? Have security agencies grown complacent after early successes?
These are legitimate questions that the government and security authorities must answer with decisive action, not mere assurances.
Crime is like wildfire. When extinguished completely, peace prevails. But once embers are allowed to smoulder, they can ignite a devastating inferno.
Anambra has witnessed this before. The state paid dearly when criminal gangs established footholds in forests, highways and communities. Businesses suffered, investors stayed away, and citizens lived in constant anxiety. That ugly chapter must never repeat itself.
Governor Soludo’s administration deserves commendation for the bold steps taken to restore security. But security gains are not permanent trophies; they require constant vigilance, adaptation and renewal. Criminals evolve their tactics. Security agencies must evolve faster.
The state government should immediately review the current security architecture, strengthen intelligence gathering, increase patrols along identified flashpoints, and ensure all security formations operate with renewed urgency. Particular attention must be paid to the Awka-Amansea axis, where recent incidents suggest criminal elements may be regrouping.
The police and other security agencies must leave no stone unturned in tracking down those responsible for the latest attack. Bringing the perpetrators to justice will reassure the public and send a strong message: Anambra remains hostile territory for criminals.
Community participation is equally critical. Security cannot be left to government agencies alone. Residents must remain vigilant, report suspicious movements, and cooperate with law enforcement. The successes recorded under Orutugu were possible largely because communities and security agencies worked together.
Anambra’s reputation as a thriving commercial and educational hub depends heavily on the safety of its people. The state cannot afford a return to the era when kidnapping and violent crime dictated daily life.
The warning signs are visible. This is the time for swift action.
Anambra has come too far in its fight against insecurity to surrender hard-won gains. The state must act decisively to ensure these recent incidents remain isolated, not the start of a dangerous trend.
