YPP Candidate Paul Chukwuma Leads Protest Against Anambra Gov’t-Backed Security Brutality
A peaceful protest rocked Awka on Friday as residents marched against the brutality and intimidation allegedly meted out to Ndi Anambra by security outfits Agunechemba land SASA (Special Anti-Touting Squad), both operating under the authority of the state government.
Jungle-Journalist.Com reports that the candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, Sir Paul Chukwuma, joined the march to condemn what he described as government-enabled abuse of citizens. He accused Governor Charles Soludo of allowing agencies created to protect the people to turn into instruments of oppression.
Organized by the group Make Anambra Great Again, the protest followed multiple reports and viral videos showing these outfits assaulting citizens. Udogachi, a Soludo-backed security outfit, and SASA—also called Ndi Akodo—have been repeatedly accused of violence, including the beating of a female corps member in Oba, Idemili South LGA.
Addressing a large crowd at Eke Awka Market before leading protesters to the State Police Headquarters in Amawbia, Chukwuma declared:
“Anambra is not in a good place today. We are determined to fix our state,” he said.
“The constitution mandates government to protect lives and property. What is happening today is a clear negation of that responsibility.”
At the police headquarters, Chukwuma listed three key demands:
- Investigation into cases of missing persons allegedly linked to Udogachi and SASA.
- Probe into secret detention cells reportedly operated by Udogachi in Awka and Onitsha.
- Full assumption of security duties by the police and immediate disbandment of SASA.
DCP Ibrahim Ezekiel, who received the group on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, assured protesters that the issues raised would be addressed.
The seven-kilometer march, which began at Aroma Junction, drew thousands of residents expressing outrage at what they called “lawlessness sponsored by the state.”