By Erewunmi Peace

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has stirred nationwide controversy after claiming that nearly all kidnappers arrested in Anambra State over the last three years are of Igbo origin—not Fulani herdsmen as widely assumed.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Maryland, United States, the governor said:

“From all the records we have, 99.9% of the people we’ve arrested in the last three years for kidnapping and other violent crimes in Anambra are Igbo. Not Fulani. Not Yoruba. Not anyone else.”

The statement quickly made headlines across Nigeria and sparked intense debate online and offline. While some praised the governor for “telling hard truths,” others accused him of unfairly generalizing and playing into dangerous stereotypes.

Rights Groups, Stakeholders Respond

In reaction, Intersociety (International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law) condemned the comment, calling it “reckless” and potentially harmful to the security architecture of the region.

“It is shocking that a sitting governor would make such sweeping claims without releasing the data to back them. This statement plays into an already tense narrative and undermines regional efforts to secure the Southeast,” the group said in a press release.

Similarly, the World Igbo National Union (WINU) urged the governor to either publish detailed arrest statistics or apologize to the Igbo people.

“Fulani herdsmen attacks have occurred repeatedly in parts of Anambra, and these realities shouldn’t be erased,” the statement read.

What Does the Data Say?

While Governor Soludo insists his claim is based on arrest records since his assumption of office in 2022, there is no independently verified breakdown of such data available to the public. The Anambra State Police Command has yet to release an official response or statistics.

Analysts warn that without transparent records, such bold statements may sow ethnic tension and reduce public trust in government narratives on security.

The Bigger Picture

Governor Soludo has consistently emphasized internal accountability and youth rehabilitation in Anambra State. His latest remarks, however, open a new chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing debate about ethnic profiling, crime statistics, and public leadership.

As the Southeast grapples with insecurity, separatist tensions, and economic pressures, voices are growing louder for leaders to speak with clarity, unity, and factual backing.

Conclusion:
While Governor Soludo’s comment may reflect his administration’s internal data, the lack of public verification—and the strong pushback from rights groups—underscores the importance of cautious communication, especially on sensitive ethnic issues.