Governor Chukwuma Soludo has reassured the people of Anambra State that peace and stability must surely return to the state.
He said this when he visited the headquarters of Aguata local government area in Ekwulobia set ablaze by criminal elements.
The Governor toured the various departments set ablaze by the criminals in the company of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Echeng Echeng, and the Director of the Department of State Service among other stakeholders.
Rounding off the on the spot checks, Governor Soludo said that the criminals acted like in reprisal like wounded animals after their camps in Ogboji and Aguluezechukwu were smashed by police operatives.
He noted that the onslaught on the criminals was quite revealing as about 85% of them arrested came from one of the Southeast states while the other 15% came from another Southeast state, drawing the indication that it is the Igbos that are destroying their own land.
Giving reassurances to the people of the state, Professor Soludo said there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state and that Anambra will regain it’s space and will be peaceful and stable.
The Aguata attack comes one week after the Nnewi South Local Government Area was torched.
“We cannot tolerate all of this, but my message to them is that take the olive branch and come out,” he said.
“Surrender your guns and we will help you gain a useful life. But if you choose criminality – anyone in the bush with a gun is a criminal and will be treated as such.
“There will be no hiding place anymore in Anambra. If you want to operate camps where you kidnap people, you better find space elsewhere, because if you fail to take the olive branch, we will come after you.”
“We have extended the olive branch to all genuine agitators, and made extensive calls for those in the bush to come out and shun criminality.
“How do you explain to any sane mind that “responsible citizens” have elected to pursue a supposed legitimate course adopting criminal strategies of kidnapping, arson and murder? This is despicable, not permissible and against any known law of humanity.
“Yesterday, security operatives smoked out some criminal camps at Ogboji and Aguluezechukwu, and the reprisal is the burning of Aguata LGA Headquarters by some of the fleeing criminals. Part of the items found in these criminal hideouts is a register of kidnap victims and the ransom paid. This is not who we are, never can we, under any guise allow criminals the latitiute to define who we are.
“Ndi Anambra are irrepressible. They are out to reclaim their land. To restore peace, and set the pace for the building of a Liveable and Prosperous Homeland. I repeat, anyone in the bush with a gun is a criminal and would be fiercely resisted by the people.”
