‘We’ve fought together’ — Soludo thanks military for making Anambra safe

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, says the state is one of the safest in Nigeria because of the efforts of the Nigerian troops.

The governor spoke on Monday at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day event held at Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.

Soludo commended the military and other security agencies for their resolute fight against insecurity in the state.

Soludo said since his assumption of office, security operatives have worked with him to tackle insecurity in the state.

“We have fought together, battled together, bonded together fighting a common enemy,” he said.

“The criminals who are in the bush, who come under various guises, their mission is one of big, lucrative criminality.

“That is who they are, that is what they are about, involved in kidnapping and killings of many ndi-Anambra residents.

“Due to your combined efforts, your gallantry, professionalism and commitment, today, the eight local governments that were totally under siege when we arrived here – hundreds of camps all over in all our bushes and forests have been salvaged.

“I think it is fair to say with every sense of modesty that the difference between then and now is like the difference between day and night.

“We want to thank you all as you continue to devote your time and efforts to the service of our state. Anambra today is certainly one of the safest states in Nigeria, if not indeed the safest state.” 

Soludo expressed appreciation to the members of the armed forces who have lost their lives in defending the nation.

He said insurgents, kidnappers, miscreants and criminals have taken the law into their hands, stressing that without security, law and order, society can not exist.

“We can’t build the Nigeria of our dreams without taking a firm grip of security, law and order,“ he said.

Soludo told residents in the state that they must ensure that security, law and order prevail in Anambra, adding that it must not be left to the armed forces alone.

He said unknown gunmen are not unknown because they have families and emanate from society.

“They have parents, siblings and relations. They come from villages, they come from our communities. They are our friends. Send your intelligence and intel,” he said.

“Give us information, and the members of our security team will take them out so that the rest of us can have peace. We cannot have a society where people pick and choose which laws they should obey, or they don’t like.

“That will be a society that will be defined as anarchy. When a law is lawfully passed by a lawful authority, everyone in a democracy, a decent society, a civilized society is bound by that law.”