By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Piqued by the raging insecurity in Anambra state, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, has planned a new security architecture to be launched in the state on Jan. 18.
Soludo made the disclosure during the Wreath Laying and Parade Ceremony of 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at Alex Ekwueme Square Awka on Wednesday.
He said the launch would be officially unveiled with the backing of the law of the State Assembly expected the week.
He said that the security of the state and the country in general is a collective responsibility of all and should not be left for the security agencies alone, especially now the Nigeria Army has joined in internal security operation.
“Many of them who have died in the last two years did not die in the war front fighting against another country, they died in the line of duty coming to keep peace and against the criminals.
“We must remember that we are part of the problem; unless we understand that we are part of the problem by either keeping silent and not saying anything.
“Not saying anything when the actions are perpetrated or even giving out information of the identity of the perpetrators.
“Saying nothing and doing nothing on the locations and information about the criminals is not helping the security agents, it is rather to the benefit of the criminals.
“While we celebrate our fallen heroes, we want to remind the people that most of them did not die in war fronts, but in the course of protecting you and me The criminals are not spirits, they are someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister, husband and wife, they must be exposed for arrest.
“Even if you cannot do anything physically, at least you can say something.
“We must contribute one way or the other to expose them for arrest and stop people dying needlessly. If you cannot do something physically, you can say something. Some of the fallen heroes would not to have died if we have done the needful. They should not die needlessly.
“While we remember them today, we must remember that the issue of security is a collective responsibility,” he said.
Soludo said that Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Nigeria should not be limited to remembering the fallen heroes and heroines, but ensuring that the security men protecting the citizens did not die needlessly.
He noted that over N10 trillion has been paid as ransom in Nigeria to kidnappers, saying that the situation will not continue in the country if all hands are on deck to flush the criminals out.
He promised that he will do all it takes within his power to give not only Anambra but Nigeria adequate security.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Commander 302 Artillary Regiment (General Support) Col. Adamu Mohammad, his Counterpart from 14 Field Engineer Regiment, Lt Col. Eric Bamba, Comnanding Officer Naval Outpost Onitsha, Commissioner of Police Anambra State, Mr Nnaghi Obono Itam, Chief Judge of Anambra State Onochie Anyachebelu, and many other dignitaries.
Soludo also said that every Jan. 15 should not just be performing the annual ritual to tell the fallen heroes that we love and did not forget them, but must also celebrate the living security agents protecting peoples lives and properties even at the danger of their lives.
According to him, security agents have endured all kinds of situations to keep Nigerians safe and fighting organized crimes, but Nigerians are not helping them with their complicity of silence on information that will help them to arrest criminals and hoodlums.
Soludo took time to commend the Army and other security agencies for nuteralizing a kidnapping gang in Orumba North.
However a high ranking military source said that in the operation in Orumba North, and South Local Government Area, five hoodlums were neutralized while two AK 47 Raffle and one Pump Action gun were recovered from them.
