AWKA, Nigeria — A wave of violence across Anambra State over the weekend, resulting in multiple fatalities and an attack on a place of worship, has triggered strong condemnation from the opposition and renewed urgent calls for comprehensive security reforms. The African Action Congress (AAC) has challenged the state government to move beyond promises and implement decisive action to protect citizens.
The deadly incidents occurred on Sunday, December 7, 2025. In Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area, a clash between rival cult groups at the Afor Market Junction left four people dead after assailants in a vehicle opened fire indiscriminately. Separately, in the border community of Lilu, Ihiala LGA, gunmen stormed St. Andrews Anglican Church during a service. The attack left one worshipper dead, several others injured, and resulted in the partial burning of the church building.
A Weekend of Violence: Details of the Attacks
Location | Community | Local Government Area | Reported Details | Confirmed Impact
Afor Market Junction | Nawfia | Njikoka | Attack by suspected cultists in a black Lexus Jeep. | 4 killed.
St. Andrews Anglican Church | Lilu, Isiokwe | Ihiala | Gunmen attacked during Sunday service, shooting worshippers. | 1 killed, several injured; church partially burned.
Political and Official Response to the Crisis
In a strongly worded statement, the Anambra State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) condemned what it described as an unacceptable surge in kidnappings, banditry, and armed robbery. The party's publicity secretary, Anyanwu Chinedu, argued that the state government must prioritize "security reforms, community engagement, and economic empowerment to address the root causes of insecurity".
The statement also echoed residents' fears, suggesting that kidnapping has become a "lucrative" business due to ransom payments and raising concerns that security forces may be "aiding and abetting" the criminals.
In response to the church attack, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the "heinous and abominable act". He vowed that the command would "relentlessly hunt down the perpetrators" and announced the deployment of a Joint Security Team and heightened surveillance in the affected area.
The Context: Existing Security Reforms and Legal Debates
The calls for reform come as the state government is already implementing major security initiatives. Earlier in 2025, Governor Chukwuma Soludo unveiled the Anambra Homeland Security Law and launched "Operation Udo Ga-Achi".
This operation is designed to complement the police by improving intelligence gathering, speeding up emergency responses, and targeting criminal networks. A key component is the establishment of "Agunechemba"—a new state-backed vigilante structure. The government is also deploying technology like AI-powered surveillance cameras and has introduced a monthly N10 million bonus for police divisions that record zero violent crime.
However, this move toward state-level security has sparked a constitutional debate. A 2025 academic paper examined the Agunechemba Security Network (ASN), noting that while it responds to genuine local needs, it operates in a legal grey area. Nigeria's constitution centralizes police power with the federal government, and critics argue that outfits like Agunechemba raise concerns about legality, accountability, and potential human rights violations. The paper concludes that sustainable security requires a recalibrated federal system that legally accommodates effective localized policing.
The weekend's violence underscores the intense pressure on authorities to find solutions that are not only effective on the ground but also legally sound and trusted by a fearful population.
Comments
Post a Comment