Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has said that more personnel of the Nigerian Army will soon be deployed to the state as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against insecurity and consolidate recent gains in peace and stability.
Soludo made the disclosure on Friday in Awka during the third anniversary celebration of the Eighth Anambra State House of Assembly, where government officials, lawmakers and other stakeholders gathered to review three years of legislative activities in the state.
The governor said the planned deployment forms part of broader security collaboration between the Anambra State Government and the Federal Government, particularly the Nigerian Armed Forces, aimed at tackling criminal activities and ensuring lasting peace in communities across the state.
According to him, a delegation of the Nigerian Army had already visited Anambra State to assess preparations for the establishment of military barracks, a development he said would further support ongoing security operations.
He noted that the presence of additional troops and a permanent military base would significantly boost the state’s capacity to respond to security threats, especially in hard-to-reach and previously troubled areas.
Soludo expressed confidence that the state was already making progress in the fight against crime, stating that peace had returned to most communities as a result of coordinated efforts between security agencies and the support of residents.
“We are already winning the war against crime. Peace has returned to all the communities with the support of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
The governor praised the Federal Government under President Tinubu for its efforts in addressing insecurity across the country, noting that security challenges remain a national concern requiring joint action between federal and state authorities.
In recent years, Anambra State, like several parts of the South-East, has faced security challenges including attacks on security personnel, kidnapping, and criminal activities linked to armed groups. These developments led to increased security operations in the region, including military and police deployments aimed at restoring order.
Soludo’s announcement therefore signals a continuation of the state’s reliance on federal security collaboration as part of efforts to maintain stability and encourage economic activities.
The governor also used the occasion to commend members of the Anambra State House of Assembly for their legislative contributions over the past three years, describing their work as essential to the progress of the state.
He said the synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government had helped in the delivery of what he called the dividends of democracy to the people of Anambra State.
Soludo also paid tribute to past political leaders and lawmakers who laid the foundation for democratic governance in the state and the country at large, describing democracy as the best system of government for ensuring development and accountability.
According to him, sustained democratic practice remains critical to achieving long-term stability and progress in Nigeria.
Earlier in his address, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, said the lawmakers would continue to pass laws and make resolutions that have direct positive impact on the lives of the people.
Udeze said members of the House, despite their different political affiliations, remained united in their commitment to the development of the state.
He stressed that the progress of Anambra State must always take priority over partisan interests, adding that lawmakers would continue to work in the interest of their constituents.
As part of the anniversary activities, a thanksgiving mass was also held to mark the third year of the Eighth Assembly, with lawmakers and government officials in attendance.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, also spoke at the event, commending the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
He said the cooperation between both arms had significantly improved governance delivery and ensured smoother implementation of government policies.
Mefor particularly praised what he described as the “specialised style” of leadership of the Speaker, which he said had helped maintain harmony within the Assembly despite political differences among members.
He noted that such cooperation was essential for sustaining development and ensuring that government programmes reach the people effectively.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr Ejiofor Egwuatu, said the quality of legislation produced by the House reflects the maturity and political development of lawmakers in the state.
Egwuatu urged members of the Assembly to always prioritise the welfare of citizens in their deliberations and handle disagreements with maturity and diplomacy whenever they arise.
He stressed that the people of Anambra State expect lawmakers to focus on policies that improve living standards, enhance security and promote development across communities.