Arming vigilantes with “pump action” guns has become operationally ineffective -By Chima Christian

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo has since learned that problems like “unknown gunmen” do not respond to beautiful speeches alone. Thankfully, Soludo is already the chief promoter of what could be best described as “Akwaetenomics” or homegrown economics.

There is no other way, Anambra state must go beyond merely giving support to federal authorities to independently acquiring state capacity to protect its citizens. As a necessary first step, the state’s vigilante services must be reinvigorated. Then after the country comes out from the governance distractions of 2023, Soludo should work with other leaders of the southeast to revitalise Ebubeagu or float a new regional security outfit. There is also a need for Soludo’s government to implement the recommendations of Anambra EndSARS Panel. The panel made far-reaching recommendations on some of the injustices that either contribute to or provide what seems like a legitimate excuse to the insecurity we see in Anambra today.

Beyond Soludo, members of the National Assembly must find the boldness to review certain aspects of our laws. For instance, the Amotekun experiment is beginning to reveal the operational ineffectiveness of arming vigilantes with “pump action” guns while expecting them to successfully combat aggressors armed with AK-47s and even more lethal weapons.

It will be a difficult conversation, but the south and the middle belt can muster the numbers to push through such important amendments to our constitution.

Chima Christian

Excerpted from a recent interview where I bared my mind on the just-concluded primaries, defections, separatist movements and insecurity in the southeast. Find the full interview as syndicated on The Nigerian Voice via the link below: