Soludo launches security operation in Anambra, announces N5m reward for whistleblowers

Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra, has launched a security initiative, operation ‘Udo Ga-Achi’ (peace shall prevail), to tackle the rising insecurity in the state. 

At the launch held in Awka, the state capital, on Saturday, Soludo announced a reward of up to N5 million for whistleblowers who provide credible information leading to the arrest of kidnappers or armed robbers or the discovery of their hideouts.

“We are taking decisive action on security with the formal launching of operation ‘Udo Ga-Achi’ because we are determined to fight criminality and ensure Anambra becomes the safest state,” the governor said.

“We need people in the communities to give information to security agencies through our toll-free line—5111.

“For whistleblowers, anyone that gives us credible information that leads to the arrest of any kidnapper or armed robber or information that leads to the rounding up of criminals in a camp will be paid a bounty of any amount up to a maximum of N5 million (depending on the class of criminal).

“We encourage each community to design and execute its own security programme. On a monthly basis, any community with zero crime will get a reward of N10 million.”

Soludo said the initiative involves deploying 2,000 personnel from various security agencies, including the police, the Nigerian Army, the navy, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Local vigilante groups, known as  ‘Agunechemba,’ are also part of the operation.

Soludo said the state government has procured 200 patrol vehicles, which will be deployed across the state to strengthen the effort.

“This operation is designed to tackle the rising insecurity in Anambra, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug epidemic, criminal idolatry, land grabbing, touting and other violent crimes,” he said.

“On the part of the government, be rest assured that we are determined to take the criminals head-on and quadruple our efforts in security.

“For our long-term survival, we must rise up and fight together. If you see or know something, say or do something! Silence means complicity.”

The governor also signed the Anambra state Homeland Security Bill 2025 into law, providing a legal framework for the operation.