The Convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, Comrade Osita Obi, has stated that the majority of criminal activities in Anambra State and the wider South-East are perpetrated by indigenes, not outsiders, insisting that communities know the offenders living among them.
Obi, who disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard, said insecurity in the region persists partly because some stakeholders—including certain government officials and security operatives—allegedly benefit from the situation.
According to him, no community in Anambra State or any part of Igboland can claim ignorance of the criminals operating within its territory.
“When you talk about insecurity, I am of the opinion that some government functionaries are benefitting from this insecurity. Some top—remember, I quote—some top police officials are benefiting from this insecurity,” Obi alleged.
“There is no community in Anambra State, even in my own community, that doesn’t know the criminals among them. No community in Igboland does not know the criminals among them.”
Obi argued that shielding known criminals at the community level undermines efforts by both local authorities and security agencies to curb violent activities. He said the unwillingness of citizens to expose offenders enables criminals to expand their influence.
“When we decide to shield the criminals among us, what will government do? Until we get the criminals among us, then they start with the good. That is where we now begin to interrogate the security agencies,” he said.
He also raised concerns about situations where identified suspects handed over to security agencies are allegedly released shortly after, putting whistleblowers at risk.
“Suppose I come out to give the criminals in my community and that person is taken to the police, but tomorrow he is released — what of my security?” he asked.
Obi insisted that insecurity cannot be addressed unless traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and residents collectively expose those responsible for criminal activities in their communities.
The activist dismissed the notion that Hausa-Fulani groups are primarily responsible for insecurity in the state, placing overwhelming responsibility on local perpetrators.
“Most of the crime or criminality committed here is done by Igbo people, our brothers — not Hausa-Fulani,” he said.
“I am not totally exonerating them, but Hausa-Fulani contribute only about 2 per cent. The remaining 98 per cent is done by our brothers.”
He added that both citizens and some law enforcement agents also contribute to the deepening security challenges in the region.
Obi called for a collective commitment to truth-telling and accountability, emphasizing that restoring peace in Anambra and the wider South-East requires communities to stop protecting those behind violence and criminality.
The post Insecurity: Crimes in Anambra committed by Igbo people, not Hausa-Fulani — Osita Obi appeared first on Vanguard News.
