News Investigators/ Ben Chiobi, Special Adviser on Security to Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludu, says the Monday sit-at-home order has been largely defeated in the state, insisting that Anambra remains one of the safest states in Nigeria.
Retired AVM Chiobi, stated this in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing National Summit on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), on Friday in Abuja.
The summit, themed, “The Evolving Landscape of Violent Extremism: Emerging Issues in Niger and the Sahel”, was organised by the PCVE Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub, in partnership with the PAVE.
Retired AVM, Chiobi said that no resident had been harmed in recent months for going about their businesses on Mondays, stressing that fear rather than reality was holding some communities back.
“In Awka and other major towns, banks and businesses operate freely on Mondays.
*In other locations, people are still unnecessarily afraid, but nobody has been kidnapped, stopped or harmed on a Monday in months,” he said.
The security adviser appealed to the media to help dispel fear, stressing that the media could assist by showing evidence from across the state.
According to him, if you go round Anambra on a Monday, you will see there is no reason why people should not come out.
*Sit-at-home is now more of a psychological thing,” he added.
Retired AVM, Chiobi dismissed claims that Anambra had become a base for criminal groups, describing them as false and politically motivated, stating that the state government had not, whether officially or unofficially, given any space for criminals.
He said that many threats were issued from outside the state, hiding under digital platforms, saying that five out of ten threat calls they investigate usually turn out to originate elsewhere.
He maintained that Anambra was safer than many states in Nigeria.
“The facts are there in terms of national data and statistics.
“Those who support IPOB and other groups thrive on propaganda, but the government thrives on real solutions,” he said.
Retired AVM, Chiobi outlined the security architecture put in place since Soludo assumed office in March 2022, including the Anambra Vigilante Service, the Udo Ga Adi task force, and the Anambra Homeland Security Law, which assigns roles from the community to the state level.
“We moved away from ad hoc responses to a systemic, homegrown security architecture.
“Every community has a president-general, and they are mandated to submit monthly security reports. If issues are not reported, we hold them responsible,” he said.
On non-kinetic efforts, the security Adviser said the government was tackling poverty and unemployment as root causes of crime.
He added that education had been made free from primary to secondary school, while bursary support had been introduced for tertiary students.
He added that antenatal and prenatal healthcare was also free, saying the measures would put money back into the hands of families and reduce crime incentives.
He also disclosed ongoing collaboration with the Kukah Centre and community leaders on early warning and response systems. Traditional rulers, he noted, provide valuable intelligence, while the government ensures constant consultation.
The adviser urged residents to resist divisive propaganda and support the government’s efforts.
“Security is everybody’s business. If you see something, report it. Don’t spread fake news. We must all work together to keep Anambra secure,” he added.
NAN
