Massive Protest Erupts in Anambra Over Rising Insecurity
In a dramatic display of public frustration, approximately two thousand residents of Achalla community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State stormed the state Government House on Thursday, February 5. The protesters, carrying banners and placards with various inscriptions, voiced their deep anxieties about the escalating insecurity plaguing their town. They chanted songs of concern and directed their demands toward Governor Charles Soludo and state security operatives, urging immediate intervention to restore safety and order.
Protesters Accuse Traditional Ruler of Fueling Crisis
The demonstrators made specific allegations against their traditional ruler, Igwe Ositadimma Nwokedi, calling for the state government to withdraw his certificate of recognition. They claimed the monarch has misappropriated funds allocated for community security and has encouraged activities such as touting, drug abuse, and cultism among local youths. According to the protesters, these actions have directly contributed to the deteriorating security situation in Achalla.
Speaking at the Government House, Mr. Uchenna Nnakwue, the Vice President General of the community and leader of the protest, expressed the collective displeasure of the town. "Community members get missing from time to time, and farmers are afraid of going to their farms due to insecurity," he stated. "Day by day, our people live in fear. We cannot afford to live this way. It is unacceptable! We're here to tell our governor and security agencies in Anambra to come to our help."
Women's Representative Highlights Community Disunity
Mrs. Elizabeth Onwukobi, spokesperson for the women’s representative, further elaborated on the allegations during an interview. She accused Igwe Nwokedi of undermining the community's customs and traditions, engaging in acts that foster disunity and violent crimes. "Our traditional ruler, Igwe Nwokedi, no longer lives up to his statutory duty as the chief security officer of the town," she said. "We have recorded a series of unfortunate events. We no longer go to our farms—those that do go in great fear. How could we continue that way?"
Youth Leader Describes Daily Life of Fear
Nwafor Nwanekwe, the youth leader of Achalla, provided a vivid account of the pervasive fear gripping the community. He corroborated the claims of other protesters, emphasizing that residents no longer sleep with both eyes closed. "Residents of my town now live in fear—day in, day out," he explained. "If we go to our farms, we're attacked; if we go to fetch firewood, we're attacked; if we go to fetch water at the stream, we're afraid." He appealed to relevant authorities to intervene promptly to prevent the community from being overwhelmed by insecurity.
Monarch Denies Allegations, Cites Efforts Against Insecurity
In response to the protesters' accusations, Igwe Nwokedi described the allegations as spurious in an exclusive telephone interview. He outlined his sustained efforts to combat drug abuse and cultism among youths in Achalla, expressing sadness over being subjected to cyberbullying and false claims by his subjects. The monarch called for calm within the community, assuring that he is doing everything possible to address the insecurity issues.
Background of Security Challenges in Anambra
This protest occurs against a backdrop of ongoing security challenges in Anambra State. Earlier reports indicated that gunmen ambushed a joint police patrol team along the Abatete–Eziowelle Road in Idemili North Local Government Area on Wednesday, November 26, leading to a shootout that forced residents to flee for safety. The attackers targeted officers from the Department of Operations in Awka and the Special Anti-Cultism Squad during routine surveillance, highlighting the persistent threats in the region.
The Achalla community's protest underscores a growing demand for government action and accountability in addressing insecurity, with residents seeking protection and concerted efforts to end the violence that disrupts their daily lives.
