Anambra Governor Soludo’s Security Outfit Accused Of Operating Like ‘Bakassi Boys’, Killing Innocent Youths, Extorting N200 From Motorists At Illegal Checkpoints
The creation of the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group by Governor Chukwuma Soludo has stirred much controversy in Anambra State. While the governor’s stated aim was to strengthen security and combat crime in the state, the group’s activities have led to accusations of severe abuses of power, including extrajudicial killings, extortion, and corruption. The group’s actions, especially their aggressive approach to security and the manner in which they have operated, have led many to draw comparisons with the notorious Bakassi Boys, a group that rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Despite being praised as heroes in their early years, the Bakassi Boys became infamous for their brutal tactics and violations of human rights. The troubling similarities between the two groups have raised alarms about the future of security in Anambra.
The formation of the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group was part of a broader effort by the state government to address the increasing rate of crime in Anambra, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent offenses. Governor Soludo’s administration believed that by empowering a local security group, they could take direct action against criminal elements operating within the state. The Agunaechemba Vigilante Group was established as a community-based initiative that was intended to serve as an auxiliary security force, working alongside traditional law enforcement agencies such as the police.
However, the execution of this idea has been met with growing concern. While the intention behind the formation of Agunaechemba might have been to tackle crime in a state that has faced security challenges in recent years, the group’s methods have quickly veered into territory that many view as abusive and unlawful. Reports from multiple sources, including Intersociety, reveal a pattern of violent and unlawful actions that have left citizens fearful of the very force meant to protect them.
The Agunaechemba Vigilante Group’s operations have drawn stark comparisons to the Bakassi Boys, a vigilante group that gained notoriety in southeastern Nigeria in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Bakassi Boys were initially formed as a response to widespread crime and insecurity, particularly in the eastern states of Nigeria. They were praised for their swift action against criminals and for taking matters into their own hands when law enforcement appeared ineffective. However, their methods soon became more extreme, and they were accused of operating outside the law, engaging in extrajudicial killings, torture, and extortion.
Like the Bakassi Boys, the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group has been accused of using violence as their primary tool for combating crime. Reports of unlawful killings, torture, and arbitrary detention have cast a shadow over their operations. In particular, the killings of innocent citizens, often based on flimsy or non-existent evidence, bear a disturbing resemblance to the notorious actions of the Bakassi Boys. The comparison becomes more troubling when considering the group’s increasing use of illegal checkpoints, where motorists are forced to pay bribes, under the threat of violence or arrest.
While the government and security agencies have tried to distance themselves from the Bakassi Boys in the past, the rise of groups like Agunaechemba suggests that such vigilante movements are not easily erased from the fabric of Nigerian society. The emergence of another group using similar methods raises significant questions about the government’s approach to crime fighting and the protection of citizens’ rights.
One of the most alarming accusations against the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group is their involvement in extrajudicial killings. The report by Intersociety documents several cases where members of the group have killed individuals without any legal justification, in some cases, without even presenting evidence of their involvement in criminal activity. These killings are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader pattern of violent repression that seems to have characterized the group’s operations.
For example, the February 6, 2025, killings of three innocent artisans—Malachy Chimaobi Iwuanyanwu, Odinkalu Chinonso, and Kosisochukwu—are indicative of the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group’s violent approach. The three men were working on a construction site when they were dragged out, shot, and killed by the group’s operatives. The reasoning behind the killing was linked to the allegation that they were involved in criminal activities, yet no concrete evidence was provided. The site where they worked, which contained gas cylinders, was falsely labeled by the operatives as a site for explosives. This baseless accusation led to the brutal deaths of these men, who were simply trying to make a living.
This type of extrajudicial killing is not new in Nigeria, where vigilante groups and law enforcement agencies have been accused of bypassing legal procedures in the name of fighting crime. However, the apparent complicity of the state government in these abuses, through its silence and endorsement of the group, is particularly troubling. The lack of accountability for these acts of violence is a dangerous precedent that further undermines the rule of law and human rights in Anambra.
In addition to extrajudicial killings, there have been reports of unlawful detentions and disappearances, where individuals are arrested and held without charge or trial. In some instances, individuals have been abducted and falsely labeled as criminals, with no clear evidence to substantiate such claims. The abuse of power and the lack of oversight have left many citizens in a constant state of fear, unsure if they will be the next victims of this unchecked violence.
Another significant issue with the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group is the rampant extortion of motorists, particularly at illegal checkpoints set up across the state. According to the Intersociety report, operatives of the group have been demanding bribes from motorists, charging a fee of N200 for every vehicle that passes through their roadblocks. These extortion tactics are not only a violation of the law but also a symptom of the deeper corruption within the group.
The demand for bribes at illegal checkpoints has become a common practice, with the group setting up roadblocks on major roads, such as those in Nnobi, Ichida, Awka-Etiti, Igboukwu, Uga, and Umuchu. Motorists who refuse to pay the bribe risk being harassed, detained, or even assaulted by the operatives. This type of corruption undermines the fight against crime, as it diverts resources away from legitimate law enforcement efforts and feeds into a cycle of abuse. Instead of focusing on curbing criminal activity, the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group is using its power to extort money from ordinary citizens.
The financial burden placed on motorists, especially those who depend on these roads for their livelihoods, is another consequence of the group’s corrupt activities. For many, paying the N200 fee becomes a matter of survival, as they are forced to comply with the demands of the operatives. The widespread nature of this extortion has led to increased resentment toward the group, as well as a growing sense of disillusionment with the state’s ability to maintain law and order.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s response to the allegations against the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group has been a point of contention. Despite the growing evidence of abuse and corruption, the governor has remained largely silent on the issue. Rather than taking swift action to address the misconduct of the group, Soludo has publicly praised the Agunaechemba operatives for their efforts in fighting crime. In particular, he lauded the group for their actions during the controversial operation in Owerre-Ezukala, where the group killed three innocent citizens and abducted several others. This praise has only served to further fuel criticism of the governor’s handling of the situation.
By failing to hold the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group accountable for its actions, Governor Soludo has effectively endorsed their violent and corrupt behavior. His silence in the face of mounting evidence of human rights violations speaks to a broader problem of impunity within the state government. Instead of taking a strong stance against these abuses, Soludo’s administration seems to be turning a blind eye, allowing the group to operate with impunity.
The governor’s failure to act has also raised questions about the role of the state government in overseeing and regulating security outfits. While the creation of the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group was intended to address security concerns, the lack of proper oversight has allowed the group to devolve into a violent and corrupt force. This has led many to question whether the government is truly committed to upholding the rule of law or if it is simply seeking to maintain its own hold on power through whatever means necessary.
The allegations against the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group are a stark reminder of the fragility of human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. The country has a long history of security outfits operating outside the boundaries of the law, with groups like the Bakassi Boys and the notorious police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), gaining notoriety for their abuses. The Agunaechemba Vigilante Group’s actions highlight the dangers of empowering security forces without proper oversight and accountability.
The extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions, and extortion committed by the Agunaechemba operatives are clear violations of the Nigerian Constitution, the Criminal Code Act of 2004, and international human rights standards. These abuses undermine the principles of justice and fairness, and they erode the public’s trust in the government’s ability to protect their rights.
Intersociety’s report has called for immediate reforms to ensure that security outfits like the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group operate within the bounds of the law. There is an urgent need for oversight and accountability to prevent further abuses. This includes implementing measures to ensure that these groups are properly trained, disciplined, and held accountable for any wrongdoing.
The call for justice is not only about punishing those responsible for the abuses but also about restoring public trust in the government’s commitment to human rights. The people of Anambra, like all Nigerians, deserve to live in a society where their rights are respected, and where security forces are held accountable for their actions.
The Agunaechemba Vigilante Group’s rise to power in Anambra has brought both hope and fear. While the group was initially seen as a solution to rising crime, its violent and corrupt tactics have made it a source of terror for ordinary citizens. The extrajudicial killings, extortion, and lack of accountability have raised serious concerns about the future of security in Anambra and the broader implications for human rights in Nigeria.
Governor Soludo’s silence and endorsement of the group’s actions have only compounded the problem, leaving citizens to wonder if their government is truly committed to justice and the rule of law. Until significant reforms are made, and those responsible for these abuses are held accountable, the Agunaechemba Vigilante Group will continue to operate with impunity, further eroding trust in the state’s ability to provide security for its citizens. The people of Anambra deserve better, and it is time for the government to take decisive action to restore the rule of law and protect the rights of its citizens.
Anambra Governor Soludo’s Security Outfit Accused Of Operating Like ‘Bakassi Boys’, Killing Innocent Youths, Extorting N200 From Motorists At Illegal Checkpoints
Anambra Governor Soludo’s Security Outfit Accused Of Operating Like ‘Bakassi Boys’, Killing Innocent Youths, Extorting N200 From Motorists At Illegal Checkpoints
February 15, 2025
News
The Agunaechemba Vigilante Group operatives were also alleged to be operating like the dreaded Bakassi Boys and extorting N200 from every motorists at several illegal checkpoints across the state.Operatives of the security outfit, Agunaechemba Vigilante Group, set up by the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, have been accused of extrajudicial killing of hundreds of innocent youths in the state.
The Agunaechemba Vigilante Group operatives were also alleged to be operating like the dreaded Bakassi Boys and extorting N200 from every motorists at several illegal checkpoints across the state.
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), a human rights organisation made the revelations in a report on Saturday signed by its Board Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi.
Intersociety stated, “Roadblock extortion and other operational corrupt practices have been spotted and identified as one of the modus operandi of the operatives of the newly renamed Agunaechemba Vigilante Group, sobriquet “Bakassi Boys”.
“Such were recently spotted by the Intersociety field volunteers in at least five different locations along Nnobi, Ichida, Awka-Etiti, Igboukwu, Uga and Umuchu road axis.
“The checks specifically took place between January 30 and 31, 2025, during which the operatives of the new dreaded outfit were sighted mounting roadblocks and forcing motorists to part with N200 notes per motorist/per trip.
“The security implications of such corrupt practices on crime detection and apprehension of suspected criminals and their criminal properties are very far-reaching.
“Apart from exposing the government’s inadequate welfare packages for members of the new outfit and glaring lack of discipline and command and control accountability, they can also facilitate an escape route for persons of under-world as it is anything goes once each motorist is forced to part with N200 note, not minding who or what the motorist is plying on the road with.”
The organisation stated, “The operations of Agunaechemba are also found to be existentially questionable and grounded in patterns and trends reminiscent of the Bakassi Boys and their inglorious epoch of 1999-2002.”
According to Intersociety, apart from demolishing buildings which it stated has no place in the country’s Criminal Code Act of 2004, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 and the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, their operations have also been mired in guesswork, false labeling, hearsay conclusions, indiscriminate killings.
“Such as killing of unarmed and defenseless persons, abductions and disappearances of those arrested alive and hale and hearty and those critically shot and wounded.“A typical case in point was the February 6, 2025-killing of the trio of defenseless Artisan-Citizens Malachy Chimaobi Iwuanyanwu and Odinkalu Chinonso of Umueze in Ehime-Mbano of Imo State and Citizen Kosisochukwu of Isuofia, Gov Soludo’s hometown in Aguata, Anambra State.
“Their killing took place in Owerre-Ezukala in Orumba South of Anambra State, during which not less than 12 others were abducted, stripped half naked and falsely labeled or accused of ‘being involved in kidnappings and ritual killings’.
“Among the abducted defenseless citizens in the community were three NYSC Corpers abducted at the Community’s NYSC Camp and a deformed, later freed after having been threatened and traumatized following outcries by their colleagues and locals.
“The three gruesomely murdered citizens were artisans working as POP and rot iron installers and tilers on a building site reportedly owned by an Anglican Priest.
“They were shot and killed after being dragged out of their construction site in the early morning of February 6, 2025.
“The killer-operatives of Agunaechemba Vigilante Group also labeled their site gas cylinders as “Ogbunigwe Bombs” (high caliber explosives).“The identities of other abductees were later given as early morning hustlers including a Tipper driver in sand and stone haulage plying between Owerre-Ezukala and Ogbunka.
“Through the activation of the citizens’ vigilance and contacts, the Owerre-Ezukala Community’s WhatsApp platforms and other social media were activated, forcing the dreaded outfit to free the abductees a few days later.
“Several members of the Community also publicly disclosed that the new dreaded outfit never neared the dreaded camp of the Counterfeit Biafra Agitators and other kidnappers’ den located inside a forest between the Community (Owerre-Ezukala) and Olor in Enugu State.
“Despite the above highlighted atrocity and dastardly act, Governor Charles Soludo not only maintained conspiratorial silence but also went ahead and hailed the new dreaded outfit for ‘a job well done at Owerre-Ezukala criminal hideout operation’.”
Source: SR
