By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Stakeholders in Anambra State have called on governor Chukwuma Soludo to put mechanism on ground to checkmate activities of the State Operation Udo Ga-Achi security outfit comprising local vigilante (Agunaechemba), military and paramilitary officers, with a view to preventing them from violating human rights.
The governor had in January, 2025 launched Anambra State homeland law, which among other things created Agunaechemba (formerly Anambra Vigilante Group, AVG) and Operation Udo Ga-Achi security empowered to fight violence crimes such as kidnapping, cultism and rituals.
Speaking at Town Hall meeting on human rights, police accountability and justice administration in Anambra State organised by Anambra Police Stakeholders Partnership Forum (PSPF), facilitated by RULAAC with support from the International Idea/Rule of Law and Anticorruption RoLAC 2 Programme, stakeholders argued that the security initiative is a top-notch.
Speaking at the occasion held in Awka, the State Capital, the Director, Institute for Peace, Security and Development Studies of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Jaja Nwanegbo hailed the governor for the initiative but argued that not checkmating their activities could make them to engage in illegalities, unprofessional conduct and extortions.
According to Nwanegbo, to strengthening the security outfit included setting up tracking devices, situationrooms and others for effective monitoring and evaluation of their conducts so as to curtail their excesses as well as empower them to secure the nooks and crannies of Anambra State.
Contributing, the Traditional Ruler of Olumbanasa, Anambra West Local Government Area (LGA), Igwe Pius Ojonile and the former Nigeria's Consul-General to South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, urged the government to organise frequent security town hall meeting at grassroots for enlightenment of the masses on key provisions of the law, including the need for religious tolerance.
Earlier speaking, the Executive Director of RULAAC, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, explained that the meeting was aimed at strengthening partnerships among stakeholders, increase community awareness, and improve perceptions of police for accountability, transparency and rule of law to thrive.
He commended governor Chukwuma Soludo for introducing the Anambra State homeland law, which according to him, has injected innovation in tackle crimes and insecurity, even as he enjoined stakeholders to foster a culture of respect for human rights, professionalism and promotion of effective criminal justice delivery.
"Effective police complaint mechanisms were identified as crucial for promoting accountability, transparency, and trust in law enforcement. I, hereby commend Governor Soludo for enacting the new Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, which establishes a complementary security provider and launches initiatives targeting atrocity insecurity," he added.
The meeting with the theme; "Strengthening Stakeholding and partnership in promoting human rights (Law enforcement accountability and effective criminal justice administration in Anambra State), was attended by civil society organizations, community leaders, Journalists, including the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, the Commissioner for Justice, Prof Silver Ifejime, among others.