Labour Party chieftain and frontline Governorship hopeful in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, on Saturday told Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to see the report that makes Anambra as the kidnapping-for-ransom headquarters in Nigeria as a wake up call to finally tackle the insecurity ravaging the State.
Staying that this is not the time to be dancing ‘Gwogwogwo Ngwo’ while the State slides into anarchy and disrepute, Ozigbo advised Governor Soludo to see the report by SMB Intelligence as a noble call for action rather than giving excuses for failure
The report by SMB Intelligence, published on its website on Thursday said that for the period covering July 2023 to July 2024, Anambra State ranked as the headquarters of kidnapping-for-ransom in Nigeria, with over N350million paid by victims to kidnappers to their abductors, while many were killed even after paying ransom.
The Anambra’s rating is far ahead of second placed Rivers State that recorded N67 million in ransom payment by victims.
Ozigbo enjoined all well-meaning citizens of Anambra State to join in pressuring Governor Soludo to take the menacing insecurity as a top priority and secure the State so that Ndi Anambra can move freely and safely as they conduct their daily activities without fear of being kidnapped, attacked or molested.
According to Ozigbo: “The cries of Ndi Anambra over the unacceptable security situation in the State have always been flippantly dismissed by minions of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as rantings of ‘disgruntled’ opposition. This is despite the fact that incidences of kidnappings, killings, robberies are daily occurrences across the state.
“Now, the lamentations of Ndi Anambra have been vindicated by a most damning report by SBM Intelligence which rated Anambra as the headquarters of kidnapping-for-ransom in Nigeria.
“SBM Intelligence is Africa-focused market/security intelligence gathering consulting firm and acclaimed Nigeria’s leading geopolitical research consultancy outfit, which is “particularly strong in the area of primary data gathering, and analyses of data that provides clarity relating to political, economic and social issues in Nigeria and West Africa.”
“The report from its website released on Thursday by the firm covering July 2023 to July 2024, which ranked Anambra as the headquarters of kidnapping-for-ransom, stated that around N350 million was paid by victims to kidnappers, while many were killed even after paying ransom. Anambra’s rating was far ahead of the second placed Rivers State that recorded N67 million in ransom payment by victims.
“This is certainly a most unwanted record by a state which a few years ago under former Governor Peter Obi successfully tackled kidnappings. It showed a government that cared for its citizenry and which recognized that securing life and property was its number one duty.
“Today, virtually all classes of people in the state are targeted by kidnappers and other gunmen and our Governor, Soludo, carries on his business as usual approach. This shouldn’t be. It is as if everything is all right especially in terms of security while he moves with bullet proof vehicles and heavily armed troops, inured from the pains of our people.
“Just on Thursday, gunmen attacked and destroyed Ogbaru Local Government headquarters and went away unscathed. And neither the Governor nor his government showed empathy as Ndi Anambra face great peril. At least, since this year, there has been no word of sympathy or visit to victims and their families.
“I believe that this is the time to step in and secure Anambra. There should be no uncaring or disinterested attitude as people, including the Governor, are now condemned to holding important events outside the state. Perhaps, the SBM Intelligence report will finally sound a wake up call on the Governor.
“I call on him to hearken to the cries of our people and do his part in leading the charge to save the state from the grip of gunmen and other criminals. I also call on all stakeholders to join in mounting pressure on the Governor to do the right thing and return Anambra back to the leading most peaceful state in Nigeria. This is not when our Governor should be dancing ‘gwogwogwo ngwo’. It is not too much to ask.”
