Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has made a striking revelation regarding the ongoing security challenges in Anambra, stating that the overwhelming majority of arrested criminals in the state are not Fulani herdsmen as popularly believed, but Igbo youths. According to the governor, over 99 percent of those apprehended in connection with violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and killings are young men of Igbo origin, many of whom are not even from Anambra State.
Governor Soludo made this disclosure during a recent press briefing in Awka, where he addressed the escalating misinformation surrounding the identity of criminal elements operating in the state. He said that contrary to the narrative circulating on social media and in some political discussions, none of those arrested for violent crimes have been Fulani herdsmen. Instead, the arrests point squarely at youths from within the South-East region, particularly from neighboring states such as Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi.
He further stated that many of these individuals migrated into Anambra to exploit the state’s economic environment, viewing it as a fertile ground for ransom-driven crime. Soludo emphasized that these criminals are not outsiders or terrorists disguised as herdsmen, but local elements familiar with the terrain and culture, making them more difficult to detect and apprehend.
The governor expressed concern over what he described as a dangerously misleading public narrative. He warned that the constant attribution of these crimes to Fulani herdsmen or vague groups like “unknown gunmen” has only served to deflect attention from the real perpetrators and hinder meaningful community action. According to him, this pattern of scapegoating undermines both the truth and efforts to find sustainable solutions to insecurity.
Governor Soludo also acknowledged that his administration has made progress in tackling insecurity, citing the dismantling of several criminal camps and the arrest of dozens of suspects. However, he was quick to point out that the fight is far from over. He called on families, community leaders, traditional institutions, and youth organizations to play a more active role in discouraging young people from embracing crime.
He urged citizens to provide credible information to security agencies and support government initiatives aimed at restoring peace and economic stability to the region. He stressed that the solution to the region’s challenges lies within, and that the time has come for collective responsibility and honest self-reflection.
In conclusion, Governor Soludo made a passionate appeal for unity and truth in the fight against insecurity. He reiterated that the first step toward reclaiming safety in the South-East is acknowledging the internal nature of the threat, rejecting ethnic scapegoating, and investing in the education, employment, and moral upbringing of the region’s youth.
