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By Emeka Chiaghanam

In a decisive effort to stem a surge in violent crime during the Easter holiday season and beyond, the Anambra State Police Command has launched a new security initiative aimed squarely at eliminating kidnapping, armed robbery, and related offenses across the state.

Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu unveiled the initiative, christened  ‘Operation Udo Ga-Achị: Zero Kidnapping and Other Violent Crimes’ on Monday, April 14, 2025, under the flyover at Amawbia, a prominent intersection in the state capital. The effort, he said, marks a bold expansion of the broader security program introduced earlier in the year by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

“The Police, as the lead agency in internal security, are not resting on their oars,” Mr. Orutugu declared. “This operation is not only about presence; it is about impact, deterrence, and real-time response. We want to ensure that there is zero kidnapping and zero robbery in Anambra, especially during this Easter and going forward.”

The new program, he added, is a “deliberate, strategic, and intelligence-driven effort” intended to consolidate security gains made under the original Operation Udo Ga-Achị—named after a local expression meaning “peace will reign.” Launched in January by Governor Soludo and anchored on community collaboration and multi-agency coordination, the broader initiative has begun reshaping the state’s security architecture.

But the latest campaign marks a clear shift in tone and urgency. Flanked by top military and paramilitary leaders, Mr. Orutugu addressed a gathering of security stakeholders, officers, and community leaders with a message of tough resolve: the era of unchecked criminality in Anambra is coming to an end.

The event drew a formidable array of security agencies, including the Nigerian Army (302 Artillery Regiment), the Nigerian Navy, the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The Anambra State Vigilante Group, a key community-based force in local policing efforts, was also represented in strength.

Senior officers across these agencies pledged full cooperation with the Police in executing daily briefings, coordinated patrols, intelligence-led stop-and-search operations, and tactical raids on known hideouts. Armoured Personnel Carriers have been deployed at strategic locations, and law enforcement leaders have been instructed to monitor flashpoints in their jurisdictions.

“We are not only taking the battle to the doorsteps of these criminals,” said Mr. Orutugu, “we are locking the doors behind them.”

A cornerstone of the new operation is public participation. Citing the necessity of community intelligence in modern policing, Mr. Orutugu urged residents across Anambra to report any suspicious behavior promptly, saying “Security is everyone’s business.”

To that end, a series of hotlines were announced, connecting residents to the appropriate agencies around the clock. The Anambra State Police Command can be reached at 0703-919-4332, NDLEA at 0913-683-2679, NSCDC at 0806-676-9442, and FRSC through the national emergency number 122. Similar lines for the Anambra Vigilante Group and others will be published as the operation expands.

Mr. Orutugu also called attention to the recent refurbishment of security vehicles and operational infrastructure, attributing the upgrades to Governor Soludo’s leadership and the contributions of civic-minded individuals.

In a goodwill message, Kingsley Ezika, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security and Anti-Cultism, praised the police and their partner agencies for what he described as “unwavering dedication” to securing lives and property across the state.

“This initiative is a bold step in the right direction,” said Mr. Ezika, urging security personnel to fully implement the state’s Anti-Cultism Law. That law, he emphasized, includes specific provisions banning unauthorized public gatherings—a clause seen as a crucial tool in the government’s bid to dismantle gang infrastructure.

He further appealed to Ndi Anambra in the diaspora to periodically return home—not only to reconnect with their roots but also to witness, support, and encourage the efforts of law enforcement personnel operating in the state.

“These men and women left their own states to stake their lives here in Anambra for the sake of humanity. Let’s give them the maximum support they deserve,” he said.

The initiative has drawn strong backing from business and civil society leaders, several of whom voiced support during the unveiling ceremony.

Tokas Ohazulike, President of the Anambra Restaurant and Bar Owners Association (ARBOA), praised the security apparatus for its proactive approach. Noting that restaurants and bars are often used by criminals as informal planning centers, he called for a dedicated emergency hotline specifically tailored for hospitality establishments.

“We are on the frontlines, often without realizing it,” Mr. Ohazulike said. “Giving us a direct line of communication could be the difference between foiling an attack and suffering one.”

He also recommended that the government increase its investment in security vehicles and communications infrastructure—not just during festive periods but throughout the year.

Mrs. Nkiruka Nwagbo, President of the Ultimate Business Women and Farmers Association of Nigeria (UBWFAN), echoed those sentiments, while highlighting the unique vulnerabilities faced by rural women.

“Women, especially our farmers, have been exposed to unimaginable dangers,” she said, citing instances of rape and violence allegedly perpetrated by criminal herdsmen. “We are hopeful that this operation will mark a turning point as farming season approaches.”

Surveyor Okonkwo Okechukwu Cosmas, President of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Anambra, also addressed the gathering. While commending the operation and the governor’s resolve, he recommended additional technological solutions to strengthen enforcement, including the installation of CCTV cameras in urban centers, real-time geographical crime mapping, and the establishment of a centralized state security control room.

“The tools are out there,” he said. “Let us use them.”

As part of the day’s high point, the security agencies staged a tactical demonstration—complete with drills and equipment display—meant to project readiness, synergy, and resolve.

The show of strength was not lost on observers. Several residents who gathered near the Amawbia flyover, watching the show of force, expressed cautious optimism about the initiative’s promise.

“This is what we have long waited for,” said Ifeanyi Nwokoye, a local trader. “But it must not end here. They need to follow through.”

Governor Soludo, though not present at the event, has consistently framed public safety as a non-negotiable pillar of his administration’s social contract. His January introduction of Operation Udo Ga-Achị (Agụnechemba) marked a shift toward aggressive, localized policing, and Monday’s launch represents a further intensification.

Analysts say the security architecture in Anambra is undergoing a renaissance of sorts—marked by increased coordination, technological upgrades, and a concerted focus on root causes such as youth unemployment and cultism. Whether this momentum can be sustained remains to be seen.

For now, CP Orutugu remains focused on the task at hand. In his closing remarks, he reiterated his commitment to professionalism and civility among operatives, while pledging swift action against those who seek to destabilize the state.

“We are not here to parade ourselves,” he said. “We are here to protect this land, its people, and its promise.”