Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025: Your Duty, Highlights & Criticism

The Anambra State government enacted a new law aimed at bolstering security within the state. The law, known as the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, effective from 17 January 2025, establishes a security outfit called Agunechemba. The outfit will complement the work of the Police and other security agencies in the state.

Highlights & Criticism of the 2025 Anambra State Homeland Security Law

The law is split into 39 sections over 25 pages. It creates opportunity for communities and residents to directly participate in local security management by setting up a Security Management & Finance Committee.

Key sections for Town Unions and Residents

Section 8. (3), (4) & Section 10. (5) define the Functions of the Supervisory Committee.
This covers setup, recruitment, training, supply of equipment and salaries at all levels.

Section 10. (2) details the composition of town union Security Management & Finance Committee. Paragraph (e) particularly notes that it must not exceed 50 members. So, basically, membership should be any number up to 50.

Section 10. (3) states that the tenor of the Committee Chairman and stakeholders should be determined by the Committee itself.
I believe that this should be automatically tied to the tenor of the Town Union Executive Committee.

Section 10. (4) states that each town's committee must be inaugurated my the Local Government Mayor.
Section 11. Establishes of the Operations Committee.

Section 13 mandates the preparation and submission of a Monthly Security Reports in the 1st week of every month, to the Mayor and State Commissioner. The section provides detailed specification of the report.
The Law also covers responsibilities of landlords, hotels and estates. It further covers practice of religious and traditional activities.

Contraventions attract various penalties including fines of N1m to N20m and / or imprisonment of 6 months to 25 years.
Sections 21. & 22 establish the security fund, for wages and operational necessities, and bank accounts.

Section 22. (2) notes that the management of the bank account shall be as approved by the Security Management & Finance Committee.

Quorum for meetings shall be 1/3 of the members of the Committee.
This Law repeals and replaces the Anambra State Group Vigilante Law 2014.

What is Agunechemba?

Agunechemba is a security outfit that will be established in each of the 21 local government areas of Anambra State. It will be made up of personnel from the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

What are the functions of Agunechemba?

The functions of Agunechemba are to:

Prevent and detect crime
Make available relevant information on criminals
Take necessary measures to ensure that criminals do not operate in any part of the state
Preserve law and order
Protect lives and properties
Arrest criminals and hand them over to the police for investigation
Give further assistance to the police where required in the production of witnesses

What are the powers of Agunechemba?

Agunechemba has the power to:

Arrest and hand over to the police any person who commits a crime
Patrol the streets or villages at any time of the day
Maintain security barricades in appropriate places
Question and hand over to the police any person of questionable character or of suspicious movement
Enter and search any compound into which a questionable person runs while being pursued
Form special forces or squads for the purpose of tackling kidnapping, banditry, consumption of illicit drugs, cultism, robbery, and any other violent crimes in the state

What are the other key provisions of the law?

The law also makes provisions for the following:

The establishment of security supervisory committees at the state and local government levels
The registration of private security companies operating in the state
The prohibition of the use of any property for the manufacture, sale, or use of illicit drugs
The prohibition of the use of any religious place for criminal activities
The prohibition of the performance of rituals involving human parts

What are the penalties for violating the law?

The law prescribes various penalties for violating its provisions. For example, anyone who is convicted of kidnapping or banditry under the law is liable to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without an option of fine.

What are the implications of the law?

The Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 is a significant piece of legislation that has the potential to improve security in the state. However, it is important to note that the law is still new and its full implications are yet to be seen.

In conclusion, the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 is a welcome development that has the potential to make Anambra State a more secure place for all.

What is Your Duty as a Good Indigene / Resident

A model citizen is someone that is law abiding, responsible, and contributing member of society. Model citizens are respectful of others, tolerant of diversity, and committed to making their communities a better place. They are also active in their communities and participate in civic life.

A good indigene is someone who is a proud and patriotic citizen of their state. Good indigenes are committed to the development of their state and are always looking for ways to make their communities a better place. They are also respectful of the culture and traditions of their state.

Here are some of the things that define a good indigene:

Be proud of your state
Be committed to the development of your state
Be respectful of the culture and traditions of your state
Be active in your community
Be a good role model for others

Are You a Good Citizen?

I hope this blog post has helped you to understand the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 and what it means to be a model citizen. Whether you live in the diaspora or abroad elsewhere in the country, I encourage you to do your part to secure your home town and make Anambra State a more secure and prosperous place for all.

Major Criticism / Confusion

Section 10. (5) (g): Appears to suggest that town Security Management & Finance Committee is required to raise its own funds for operations including remuneration and salaries without any uptake funding from the government.

However, in Section 8. (4) (a), the law seems to suggest that the State Committee is responsible for the salaries and allowances of members of Agunechemba. Ditto for Section 9. (3) (b) for local governments.

Section 32 further clearly states that only the state and local government Security Management Committees shall receive sitting allowance.

This appears to be a dereliction of duty by the government. Every government has the responsibility to ensure the wellbeing and rights of citizens, particularly social, education, and healthcare concerns. Without security none of these can be achieved. So, to leave any part of this this all important duty of the government to towns appears to be in bad taste. It is advisable for the government to review this concern and tidy loose ends.

Thank you for reading. Please share your thoughts below.

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