Soludo says 99.99% of kidnappers in Anambra are Igbos, stressing that Igbo youth criminality is fuelling insecurity and must be addressed urgently
Igbo youth criminality is responsible for nearly all cases of kidnapping and violent crime in Anambra State over the past three years, Governor Charles Soludo has declared.
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Speaking during a town hall meeting with Anambra indigenes in the United States, Soludo refuted widespread claims that Fulani herdsmen are the masterminds of insecurity in the region.
“I have been in office for three years and three months. If we have arrested 100 criminals and kidnappers, 99.99% of them are Igbo youths,” the governor stated, directly confronting what he described as a dangerous false narrative.
He said the propaganda that external groups were invading the South-East led to a wave of misguided vigilantism and opened the door for locals to embrace kidnapping as a new venture.
“That lie led our youths into kidnapping because it became the next lucrative job after ‘Yahoo’ and drug trafficking,” he added.
The governor acknowledged that even he once believed the myth that Fulani herdsmen were invading Igbo territories.
But after three years in office and close interaction with security data, he admitted the true picture was disturbing.
“Igbo are the ones kidnapping Igbo, they are the ones killing Igbo. All these camps are Igbo youths,” he said bluntly.
Soludo further revealed that individuals from other states now refer to the trend as the “Anambra job,” coming in with motorcycles to be trained in criminal tactics.
He explained that many of those caught still falsely attribute their crimes to Fulani herders.
“Even those from other states now call it the ‘Anambra job’. They go to their villages, buy motorcycles, and come here to join the business. When they are eventually arrested, they claim it’s the Fulanis.”
Soludo called on the diaspora to reject such propaganda and actively invest in their home communities.
He challenged them to be part of the solution by supporting development, promoting employment and sharing their skills.
“I want you to quote me right — 99.99% of all the criminals we have arrested are Igbos. All these camps are Igbos,” the governor stated firmly.
He said it was time to confront the truth and end the culture of silence that has allowed the myth to thrive. He also emphasised the need for truth-telling and transparency in tackling insecurity.
Soludo explained that his government would continue to pursue those responsible and provide legitimate alternatives for the youth.
“Let us tell ourselves the truth, face the facts, and rescue our children from this dangerous path. There is no honour in violence, no pride in kidnapping your own brothers and sisters,” he said.
The comments have already sparked conversation both at home and abroad. Many citizens see his remarks as bold and necessary, while others argue they reflect wider failings in regional leadership.
What remains clear is that Igbo youth criminality has become a troubling trend in Anambra, and Soludo wants to reverse it through honest dialogue and proactive intervention.
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His message is likely to resonate far beyond Anambra as the South-East continues to grapple with security concerns and public mistrust.
