By Ovat Abeng
The Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has promised to grant amnesty to repented kidnappers, cultists, drug peddlers, taunting, armed robbers, car snatchers, pick-pocketers, others in the state.
The governor gave the promised while briefing Journalists st governor’s lodge Amawbia on Tuesday, on the state of insecurity in the state, especially, on the forthcoming 2024 Christmas and New Year celebration.
He said his administration is fully ready to grant amnesty to any criminal who wish to surrender himself and weapons peacefully.
According to him, “the Anambra Government under my watch, is extending hands of friendship to any kidnapper, cultist, armed robber, drug user, taunt, car snatcher, pick-pocketer and other criminal elements who wish to surrender himself and his weapons.
“My government will ensure that such person is well rehabilitated and empowered to become a productive citizen in the society.
“All persons wishing to take advantage of this window, should registered with the office of the security Adviser to the governor and this window will remain open until the end of February, 2025.
“At the inception of our administration we met almost a war situation with eight LGAs literarily under total control of criminals.
“We responded massively when we came in and among other things set up a vigilance strike force that worked with federal security agencies to root out criminals from our forest.
“Within 12 months, we were able to recover those eight LGAs under siege. However, we noted that with time, all the criminal elements have returned to some of these locations.
“And there have been troubling reports of kidnapping for ransome with instances where lives were lost,” he said.
“The four major challenges we are currently experiencing in the state include; kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug epidemic and touting.
“Another concern is the resurgence of criminals idolatry which offered the criminals a sense of invisibility.
“My government had started tripling its efforts and would launch a comprehensive security ecosystem tagged – ‘Operation Udo Ga Achi’, (meaning operation peace must prevail) by the end of January 2025.
“We will be donating 163 vehicles to security agencies to ensure active patrol of the nooks and crannies of Anambra, and install surveillance cameras to cover all major cities and forests used by criminals.
“We will have 20 vigilante personnel and forest guards in each community and work on changing the ideology where people see security agents as the enemy and the criminals as liberators.
“Government alone cannot do it, therefore, I call on our traditional rulers, religious leaders, town union leaders and civil society organisation to join the government to fight insecurity.
“Security is our collective responsibility. If you see something, say something by reporting crimes and criminals via the 5111 toll free line.
“I am appealing to those living at the rural areas to stop aiding the criminal with food items.
“We are also making sure we have a secured Christmas and New Year celebration,” he assured.
The Governor appreciated Federal Government and service commanders for their efforts in securing residents in the state.
