Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has launched a new security operation in the state to curb the spate of kidnappings, killings, car snatching and other vices.
He promised to pay up to N5million to whistleblowers who provide information that leads to the arrest of any kidnapper.
The governor who launched Operation Udo Ga Achi, meaning peace shall reign, also unveiled the state’s new security agency; Agunechemba, which he said comprised of over 2,000 operatives drawn from various security agencies.
While launching the operation at the International Convention Center, in Awka, the governor said: “We have come to launch an operation that will secure us. First was the passage of the Anambra Homeland Security Laws, which was done just two days ago, the bill has passed into law, and has become operational.
“I want to assure you that despite the lucrative criminality, and it’s attendant fetish practices, we pledge to fight criminality and make Anambra the safest state in the country.
“Kidnapping is not new, my father had been kidnapped as far back as 2009, GU Okeke, Pokobros and many others have fallen victim too. Before I assumed office, about eight local government areas were being controlled by gunmen. They killed policemen and collected guns, attacked and burnt down police stations and went into the bush to label themselves liberators.
“We came in and went to work and cleared them and we recovered the eight local government areas that were under siege. These gangs claim to be Biafra freedom fighters. IPOB has dissociated themselves from it, but one Simon Ekpa has continued kidnapping for ransom.
“Kidnapping for ransom is now the most lucrative enterprise, even more lucrative than drug and oil. For everyone naira reported as payment for ransom, five to six naira was not reported. With a culture that celebrates wealth without craft, even the kidnappers amongst us are now celebrated.
“We are coming for them. We promise to pay whistleblowers who give information that can lead to the arrest of kidnappers in the state. We will review the extent of the usefulness of the information, and whistleblowers can get as much as N5million,” Soludo said.