Kidnapping epidemic: FENRAD calls for Anambra security overhaul

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Nkem Ukaegbu

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a frontline civil society organisation committed to justice, accountability, and human security, is gravely concerned by the escalating spate of kidnappings, cult-related killings, and other violent crimes currently gripping Anambra State.

According to the Executive Director, FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, recent months have witnessed a disturbing rise in criminal activities across both urban and rural communities in Anambra—including Nibo, Abatete, Ihiala, Awka, and parts of Anambra South—resulting in multiple deaths, widespread fear, and serious disruptions to economic and social life.

The tragic mass killing at a traditional festival in Nibo, the abduction of high-profile individuals, and the targeting of students and commuters underscore the urgent need for a sustainable and inclusive security strategy.

FENRAD acknowledged the proactive steps taken by the Anambra State Government, particularly through the launch of Operation Udo Ga-Achi and the enactment of the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025.

These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the scale of the threat. However, current developments also expose structural weaknesses in the state’s broader security architecture and community policing framework.

Therefore, they call for a comprehensive review and restructuring of Anambra State’s security architecture, with particular attention to
Community policing must go beyond mere rebranding of local vigilante outfits. It requires structured training, legal oversight, operational guidelines, and integration with existing law enforcement institutions, ensuring professionalism, respect for human rights, and community trust.

The multi-agency nature of current security operations must be streamlined for efficiency and accountability. There is an urgent need for clear command hierarchies, intelligence sharing protocols, and civilian engagement frameworks.

FENRAD recommended the institutionalization of ward-level security committees and traditional forest surveillance groups, in collaboration with hunters, farmers, and local leaders, to generate real-time intelligence on criminal hideouts and movement.

A robust oversight body, independent of political interference, should be constituted to monitor both state security agents and community vigilante operations, with authority to review complaints, investigate abuses, and enforce compliance with lawful conduct.

We urged the government to invest in peacebuilding initiatives and early-warning mechanisms in youth-dense and at-risk communities. Cultism, gang violence, and drug-linked crimes are often symptoms of deeper social and economic alienation that require multidimensional solutions.

FENRAD believed that security is not solely about enforcement—it is also about justice, equity, and inclusion.

“A reactive, force-driven model alone cannot restore safety in Anambra. What is required is a people-centered, intelligence-led, accountable, and community-embedded approach to policing and security.

“We stand ready to collaborate with the Anambra State Government, traditional institutions, civil society actors, and relevant federal agencies in co-creating sustainable solutions that protect life, uphold rights, and guarantee security for all,” he appealed.