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From Obinna Odogwu, Awka
Former Deputy Chief Whip of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Chief Tony-Uche Ezekwelu, has passed a damning verdict on the state’s local security outfit, Agunaechemba, set up by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, describing its operatives as untrained, unmotivated, and poorly equipped.
He said that the governor hurriedly set up the group without proper planning and arrangements to make it effective and efficient, arguing that the near-zero training of the operatives had resulted in the killing of some innocent people in the state.
“So, nothing special has been done to improve security here. Was there an improvement in the equipment they were provided? Any improvement in their welfare; any improvement in the arms and ammunition they were provided? Was there any improvement, any upgrading? The answer is no”, he said.
Ezekwelu, former National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndígbo Worldwide, lamented that instead of serving the security purpose for which it was established, Agunaechemba operatives are now being used to harass and intimidate innocent people and perceived political opponents.
“During the rerun elections in Anambra South Senatorial Zone, last year, we witnessed very well that these non-state actors were maximally utilised to oppress and suppress the opposition parties in the election for the government to have its way.
“And so many arms and ammunition were brought and provided for these people that were moving in their hundreds and thousands across the various areas during that election with sophisticated arms and ammunition.
“And they were even threatening the then Commissioner of Police and other top security officers who will stay aside and then watch them do what they were doing”, he said.
Ezekwelu, an engineer, said that local vigilantes have made little contributions to the improved security situation in the state and, instead, credited President Donald Trump, saying that the security situation got better after the US military bombed the terrorists’ operational base in Sokoto.
“Immediately after Trump finished dropping bombs in Sokoto, advice went round everywhere. So, those responsible for the insecurity became very conscious because they are afraid that Trump’s searchlight may be directed to the South East”, he stated.
He argued that the development served as a strong warning to the armed groups operating in the Southeast region.
“If the improvement had taken place because of the presence of Agunaechemba, that of Imo State, Enugu State, Ebonyi, and Abia would not have improved dramatically. But all of them improved at the same time.
“You know most of these insurgencies thrive much in areas where there are natural resources that are being tapped or mined; meaning that there are some hands that are actually doing this.
“Has there been any improvement in the way they operate that has affected the factors? The answer is no. Initially, when they were brought in, you know that there were so many controversies that, at a point, they were even killing innocent people.
Asked if he was suggesting that some government officials were sponsoring insecurity in the country, particularly in the South East region, he said “it is multifaceted.”
“According to General Abacha, any insurgency, terrorism or security issue that lasts more than 48 hours, the hand of the government is in it. Let me tell you, anywhere there is a sustained insecurity like this, the state actors and the government of the day, directly or indirectly are involved in it. It is a security fact anywhere in the world.
“This is because the state security actors have a very highly organised and better equipped system to contain insecurity. Unless the state security architecture is compromised, insurgents and criminals cannot freely operate.
“But, when it is compromised, the criminals and the terrorists can operate very freely because those that are supposed to be going after them are in collaboration with them.
”If you remember that General T. Y. Danjuma made it very clear that the soldiers, the military, and the state security actors were in collaboration with the insurgents that are killing Nigerians; that they were giving them protection and aligning with them one way or the other. And Anambra State and the South East case may not be isolated in that regard”, Ezekwelu said.
