Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, has declared that Anambra State is currently the safest state in the country, citing improved security and the absence of major incidents in recent months.
Speaking during a live media chat in Awka, on Friday the state capital, the governor said the security situation has significantly improved, noting that no major security breach had been recorded in the last three to four months.
He further revealed that more than 60 criminal camps had been dismantled across the state, while normalcy has been restored in at least eight local government areas previously affected by criminal activities.
Soludo described the turnaround as evident during the last festive season, when the state witnessed a surge in visitors.
According to him, thousands of people trooped into the state daily, making it one of the busiest Christmas periods in decades.
The governor also addressed the long-standing Monday sit-at-home order linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra, stating that it is no longer effective in Anambra.
He noted that economic and social activities have fully resumed, with schools, markets, factories, and public institutions now operating without disruption.
Flight operations into the state, including those scheduled on Mondays, have also returned to normal.
Highlighting the measures behind the improved security, Soludo pointed to a series of institutional reforms introduced by his administration.
These included new laws targeting cultism and touting, as well as the establishment of specialised security outfits such as Agunechemba and Operation Udogachi.
Reflecting on the situation he inherited, the governor recalled that in 2021, residents lived under constant fear, with restrictions on basic activities such as wearing political party insignia or driving branded vehicles.
He said political campaigns at the time were conducted under extreme risk, with reports of violence and killings.
Despite the progress made, Soludo acknowledged that achieving absolute security is unrealistic.
He stressed that security management is a continuous process rather than a fixed destination, adding that efforts would be sustained to maintain and improve the current gains.
Meanwhile, Soludo announced that the All Progressives Grand Alliance would not present a presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.
The governor stated that the party has adopted a strategic position regarding the upcoming polls.
He recalled that APGA had taken a similar stance in 2011 when it endorsed then-President Goodluck Jonathan instead of fielding its own candidate.
Soludo disclosed that his party would align with the ruling All Progressives Congress at the centre, emphasising the importance of collaboration with the federal government.
Expressing personal and political support, he described President Bola Tinubu as a trusted ally and commended his performance since assuming office in 2023.
He further stated that Tinubu deserved a second term and predicted that the president would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections, regardless of APGA’s formal endorsement.
According to Soludo, his position is driven not only by personal conviction but also by the broader interests of the people of Anambra, who he said must have a stake in national governance.
During the session, the governor also addressed his administration’s crackdown on certain native doctors, clarifying that the move is not targeted at traditional religion.
He explained that some individuals operating under the guise of traditional practices have been linked to criminal activities, including aiding kidnappers and armed robbers, as well as engaging in harmful rituals.
Soludo stressed that such actions have no connection with genuine traditional beliefs, insisting that the government has a responsibility to confront and eliminate practices that threaten public safety and societal values.
