The brutal killing of Ifesinachi Onyekere, a young entrepreneur abducted on July 27 despite ransom payment, has once again brought insecurity in Anambra State into sharp focus, raising concerns over Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ability to end the crisis.
While recent data suggests fatalities are falling, fear of violence remains high, fueled by persistent threats ranging from secessionist attacks and kidnappings to cult clashes, armed robbery, and alleged corruption among some traditional rulers.
Kidnapping cases have been particularly alarming, with several victims — including a female banker and a state lawmaker — killed even after ransoms were paid.
Fatalities Fall, But Risks Linger
Figures from research firm SBM Intelligence show a steady decline in killings in Anambra through the first half of 2025. The state recorded 39 reported killings in the second quarter (Q2), a 38.08% drop from 63 in Q1, which itself marked a 33.68% fall from 95 deaths in Q4 2024 — the deadliest quarter between January 2024 and June 2025.
Security analyst David Nwaigwe attributed some of the progress to the Anambra State Homeland Law 2025, locally called Agunechemba, which created a state-controlled security outfit to work with police and vigilante groups.
“What we saw immediately after the launch was a general decline in insecurity, especially against secessionist violence,” Nwaigwe said.
However, he warned that the outfit’s early momentum appears to be fading, allowing criminals to adapt and regain ground. With the November governorship election approaching, he cautioned that Anambra could relapse into politically motivated violence — a trend observed in past election years.
The recent alleged assassination attempt
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