03/07/2025
When will Soludo's "aka odo" brutality end in Anambra State
I have watched with pains in my heart, the deeply embarrassing reports of the state-sanctioned brutality that was visited on residents of Obosi in Anambra State, by agents of a Governor they elected to protect them. In an attempt to curb touting or what many have come to be described as "illegal touting" in the state, Governor Soludo, decided to deploy touts in uniform to fight alleged touts not in uniform in Anambra State.
The Soludo anti-touts' primary tool of enforcement is the aka odo (pestle), which they use to brutalise their victims. It has now become a regular routine for these brutal squad nicknamed "Ndi Akaodo" to batter the knees, ankles and other body parts of their victims who are captured on camera crying in pains, rolling on the ground in anguish and pleading for mercy as they are violated to the astonishment of every sane mind.
I am particularly concerned by the latest news of an attack on Obosi Town by a battalion of Aka Odo boys who descended on Obosi Town Hall, vandalised the hall and damaged parked vehicles belonging to individuals. The attack, as captured, showed how badly Anambra is descending into a police state of sorts, where state terror is normalised.
I call on the APGA-led state government to, as a matter of urgency, investigate the condemnable attack by the Ako Odo boys on Obosi Town and prosecute those who unleashed mayhem on the town. Equally, the state government must carry out a holistic review of the operational mechanism of the Anambra State Anti-Touting Squad, better known as the Aka Odo squad. This brutal squad should not be arresting and passing judgement on suspects at the same time. The government must ensure due process in dispensing justice.
This crude method of the Akodo group is not the civilised and safe homeland we all wish for Anambra State. I desire to see Anambra State, where the rule of law guides the business of governance, especially enforcement by government agencies.
Anambra is not a jungle where brutality is the means of dispensing justice. Ndi Anambra deserve a state where the state government upholds respect for human rights and not violates them.
As Governor, I intend to bequeath to ndi Anambra a state where enforcement activities, including revenue related enforcements as well as traffic and waste management enforcement, shall be conducted with utmost civility using properly trained personnel. We shall not condone any scenario where ndi Anambra or residents are treated and whipped like animals by their own government. We are in a democracy and in 21st century, for that matter. Crude entities like Aka Odo should not be part of our modern history!
Sir Paul Chukwuma
(Onwa Umueri)
YPP Governorship Candidate, Anambra State