Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has declared the state among the safest in Nigeria, attributing the achievement to sustained collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups.

Speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, Soludo praised the President’s emphatic commitment to tackling insecurity nationwide at the recently concluded National Economic Council (NEC) conference.

“The President’s message was emphatic, and we’re quite excited to listen to his determination to stamp out insecurity nationwide,” Soludo said.

The governor emphasized that protecting lives and property is the primary duty of government at all levels and stressed that addressing insecurity requires coordinated efforts among the federal government, states, local councils, and communities.

Soludo commended the military, police, DSS, Civil Defence, and other paramilitary agencies for their contributions, while also highlighting Anambra’s internal security framework, including the state vigilante group, anti-cult, and anti-touting units. He disclosed that 62 criminal camps have been dismantled since he assumed office.

He noted that the improved security was evident during the 2025 Yuletide, when residents and visitors moved freely, boosting social and economic activities. “We’re not resting, not for one second,” he said.

Soludo further recalled that criminals had held the Southeast hostage for over five years through sit-at-home orders every Monday, which disrupted education, commerce, and markets such as the Onitsha Main Market. He expressed satisfaction over traders returning in large numbers and pledged to regenerate Onitsha Market into a premier commercial hub in West Africa.

This statement comes shortly after the Anambra State government reopened Onitsha Main Market for full commercial operations following a one-week closure.