Massive Protest Rocks Anambra As YPP Candidate Joins MAGA To Demand End To Vigilante Brutality And Lawlessness

 

A peaceful but highly symbolic protest took place on Friday in Awka as a coalition of concerned citizens under the platform Make Anambra Great Again (MAGA) marched through the streets to register their dissatisfaction with the worsening security situation in Anambra State. The walk, which drew hundreds of residents, was also joined by the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Mr. Paul Chukwuma, who expressed strong concerns about what he described as a systematic breakdown of law and order in the state.

The march kicked off at the bustling Aroma Junction, a well known convergence point in the capital, and terminated at the headquarters of the Anambra State Police Command in Amawbia. Protesters carried placards highlighting their grievances while chanting songs that reflected their frustrations with both the state government and the activities of local vigilante groups.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the procession, Mr. Chukwuma faulted the state administration for what he called the deliberate empowerment of a local security outfit, Agunechemba, which he accused of abusing its mandate and unleashing fear among ordinary citizens. According to him, the vigilante network has effectively overshadowed the role of the Nigeria Police Force in the state, with its operatives allegedly resorting to acts of intimidation, harassment, and in some cases, open brutality.

“This peaceful walk organized by MAGA is a direct response to the suffering of Anambra people,” Chukwuma stated passionately. “We are dealing with unprecedented insecurity and lawlessness, yet the state government seems to have endorsed these ills by enabling vigilante groups that have become tools of oppression. Citizens are dehumanized daily and the sanctity of human dignity has been eroded.”

He further noted that his decision to join the movement was borne out of personal conviction and a shared sense of urgency with other concerned indigenes of the state. “My participation is not about politics but about humanity. The safety of lives and property should not be left in the hands of a few individuals wielding prohibited arms and acting beyond the limits of the law,” he added.

The YPP candidate pointed to the recent assault of a National Youth Service Corps member, Miss Jennifer Elohor, allegedly at the hands of the state-controlled vigilante team, as one of many disturbing incidents that have left residents questioning the government’s sincerity in handling security matters. According to him, no society thrives when law enforcement is hijacked by parallel structures that answer to political interests instead of constitutional authorities.

While the protest maintained a nonviolent posture, the crowd swelled considerably as sympathizers and passersby joined the walk, signaling a widespread discontent with the prevailing situation in the state. At the police command, the group was received by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Ibrahim Ezekiel, who stood in for the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.

Ezekiel praised the demonstrators for their maturity and commitment to peaceful expression of grievances. He assured them that the allegations against the state owned vigilante outfit, particularly concerning the illegal use of high caliber firearms like AK-47 rifles, would not be ignored. According to him, the police had already commenced investigations into recent reports of excesses by members of the security outfit.

He disclosed that suspects linked to the attack on the corps member had been handed over by the state government to the police for proper interrogation and prosecution. He stressed that no one is above the law and that the command remains resolute in its duty to restore public confidence in the security system of the state.

“The Anambra State Police Command is committed to upholding peace, ensuring security of lives and property, and promoting lawful coexistence,” Ezekiel said. “We will intensify engagements with relevant stakeholders to address these concerns in a manner consistent with legal and constitutional provisions. No individual or group will be allowed to usurp the responsibility of the police or compromise the rights of law abiding citizens.”

The protest ended on a calm note, but participants maintained that the walk was only the beginning of a broader civic engagement aimed at compelling authorities to restore sanity in the state. MAGA representatives emphasized that their struggle was not politically motivated but rather a clarion call for accountability and responsible governance in a region known for its vibrant economy and industrious population.

Observers believe that the strong turnout of residents, coupled with the involvement of a governorship hopeful, has sent a powerful message to both the state government and security agencies. As insecurity continues to dominate conversations in the Southeast, stakeholders fear that failure to address the grievances could further deepen public mistrust and create a vacuum that might embolden criminal elements.

For now, the people of Anambra wait to see whether Friday’s protest will spark meaningful action or remain another expression of frustration lost in the tide of political rhetoric. What is certain, however, is that voices demanding accountability are growing louder, and the call for a return to lawful security practices has taken center stage in the state’s unfolding political narrative.