By Titus Eleweke
In the fragile security architecture that defines many Nigerian states today, few initiatives have stood out with the clarity and resolve of Anambra State’s local security outfit, Agụnachemba. At a time when fear stalked communities and criminal elements operated with brazen confidence, the establishment of Agụnachemba under the Anambra Homeland Security framework was not merely a policy decision,it was a declaration that Ndi Anambra would no longer surrender their homeland to terror.
There was a period when cultism, kidnapping, targeted killings, and armed violence threatened to redefine daily life across some parts of Anambra State. Some local government areas were effectively under siege. Kidnapping had become an enterprise for desperate and dangerous groups.
Families lived in constant anxiety. Businesses struggled. Public confidence eroded.
Then came Agụnachemba.
During the recent Yuletide season, the volume of vehicular traffic conveying commuters into Anambra State was unprecedented one of the clearest testaments to the improved security environment. For the first time in nearly five years, families from across Nigeria returned en masse to their ancestral homes. Communities that had once been deserted during festive periods witnessed renewed gatherings, celebrations, and cultural pride.
Not long ago, however, the mere thought of returning home for Christmas or New Year celebrations sent shivers down the spines of many Anambra indigenes. The pervasive insecurity of lives and property made homecoming a frightening prospect. Many travellers stopped short in Awka, Onitsha, or neighbouring states, choosing to celebrate there while sending money to relatives back home. Some families actively discouraged visits altogether, fearing kidnapping or assassination by criminal elements often described as “unknown gunmen.”
That grim reality began to shift barely one year ago when the Anambra State Government launched the Udo Ga Chi Security Operations—a comprehensive framework integrating the eight service commanders in the state with local vigilante structures. This coordinated outfit, now widely known as the Agụnachemba Security Squad, injected renewed confidence into communities.
From its inception, Agụnachemba confronted criminal networks, patrolled volatile areas, and restored a visible sense of order. Its presence alone altered the psychological landscape of insecurity. Whether publicly acknowledged or privately admitted, many residents recognize that without this intervention, the security situation could have deteriorated significantly.
Like every security institution—including long-established national agencies—Agụnachemba has faced early challenges. Reports of overzealous conduct by some operatives surfaced in its formative months. Such incidents, though regrettable, are not uncommon in newly formed structures adjusting to operational realities.
What distinguishes Agụnachemba, however, is its responsiveness.
Recognizing the need for professionalism and discipline, its personnel underwent structured training in civil–security relations, rules of engagement, and responsible firearm handling under the guidance of national security agencies. These interventions strengthened operational standards, improved coordination, and enhanced accountability mechanisms.
Institutional growth requires correction, and correction requires oversight.
Calls for outright disbandment, therefore, would be misguided. Constructive criticism, transparent oversight, and firm accountability are essential in any democracy. But dismantling a structure that has contributed meaningfully to improved community safety would risk reversing hard-won gains. Reform is prudent; dissolution is reckless.
That said, sustaining Agụnachemba demands more than commendation. It requires consistent funding, internal cohesion, and disciplined leadership.
Recent reports of delayed salaries, welfare concerns, and alleged internal rivalries among operatives are troubling.
Allegations of supremacy struggles within the leadership if substantiated pose a serious risk to operational unity.
History offers cautionary lessons, including the internal crises that weakened the Bakassi Boys during the Mbadinuju administration. Division within a security outfit creates vulnerabilities that criminal networks are quick to exploit.
Though ,the spokesperson of Agụnachemba, Mr. Nweke Nweke dismissed the claims of disunity and unpaid entitlements as rumours, affirming that the outfit remains united in its fight against insecurity.
Nevertheless, perception alone can damage morale. Timely payment of salaries, transparent welfare systems, clear command structures, and independent oversight mechanisms are not optional—they are foundational to operational integrity.
Unpaid or demoralized personnel are susceptible to frustration and compromise. A fragmented command structure undermines discipline. The state government must therefore institutionalize funding streams, implement strict financial accountability, and establish credible internal complaint and review processes.
Security institutions must be insulated from political interference, factional influence, and personality-driven conflicts.
Security is costly—but insecurity costs far more.
Governor-led oversight must remain proactive and firm. Agụnachemba should be closely monitored, adequately equipped, intelligence-driven, and continuously trained to adapt to evolving criminal tactics. Crime is dynamic; security responses must be equally adaptive.
The deterrent effect Agụnachemba currently exerts on criminal elements must not be weakened by neglect or internal discord. Instead, it should be reinforced through intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, community partnerships, and ethical leadership. Professionalism,not fear alone,must define its long-term identity.
Security, however, is not the exclusive responsibility of armed operatives. Citizens must provide credible information, reject complicity, and support lawful enforcement efforts. Community-based intelligence remains one of the most effective tools against organized crime.
Agụnachemba is not flawless,but it is evolving. It represents one of the most consequential security interventions in recent Anambra history. To weaken it now would risk reopening the door to instability. To strengthen it through reform, discipline, funding, and oversight is to safeguard the future.
Ndi Anambra must choose wisely.
