Anambra YPP Guber candidate, Paul Chukwuma, joins peaceful march against Udogachi, SASA operatives

The Young Progressive Party (YPP) governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State, Sir Paul Chukwuma, participated in a peaceful march protesting against the intimidation and abuse faced by Ndi Anambra from operatives of two controversial security outfits: Udogachi and SASA. Udogachi is a security outfit created by the Soludo-led government. SASA (Special Anti-Touting Squad), also known as Ndi Akodo, is notorious for using pestles on citizens and has been criticised for rampant abuses.

There have been numerous reports and viral videos highlighting the abuse, including the brutal assault and degrading treatment of a female NYSC corps member by operatives of Udogachi, which sparked outrage among civil society and human rights groups. The Anambra government, while condemning such abuses, has been accused by some groups of allowing these largely untrained vigilantes to operate with impunity, contributing to a worsening security and human rights situation in the state.

The SASA squad was launched by Governor Charles Soludo to tackle touting and restore law and order, particularly in Onitsha and surrounding areas. However, critics argue that the formation of SASA has led to the empowerment of more touts who allegedly continue to abuse citizens, contributing to economic disruptions and fear among the populace.

Sir Paul Chukwuma’s involvement in the protest aligns with his stance against the worsening insecurity and abuses in Anambra State, which he has condemned publicly as part of his campaign platform ahead of the governorship election

In the past week, operatives of Udogachi have come under serious criticism for manhandling a young girl who is a serving youth corps member in Oba, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.

During the peaceful march against the brutality of Udogachi and SASA, which was organised by Make Anambra Great Again, the YPP Governorship candidate regretted that the governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, would allow agencies of the State established to serve the people to become instruments of operation against the same people. “Anambra is not in a good place today. It affects all of us. We are determined to fix our state,” Paul Chukwuma said while addressing a large crowd at Eke Awka market.

The peaceful march, which commenced from Aroma Junction in Awka, terminated at the Anambra State Police Headquarters in Amawbia, where the group was received by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Ibrahim Ezekiel.

At the Anambra State Police Command’s office, Sir Paul Chukwuma addressed the DCP. He listed some of the reasons for the peaceful march, which include the abuse meted out to innocent citizens by Udogachi and SASA.

He also called on the police to rise to their responsibilities, while assuring them of support from Ndi Anambra. “The responsibility placed on the government in terms of protection of lives and properties is well spelt out in the constitution. In Anambra today, we are experiencing what is a negation of the position of the law. We know the agencies of government that are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring law and order in our state.

Anambra State is still part of Nigeria as a sub-national entity. We are experiencing something that has never happened in the history of Anambra State…with what is happening today, we are beginning to wonder if the Nigerian Police Force has abdicated their responsibility and duty to Ndi Anambra.

Today, we have experienced a litany of what we call an aberration to the protocol of such organisation and agency (Udogachi and SASA). A lot of heinous crimes are being perpetrated in Anambra State by the so-called security outfit Udogachi.

We don’t have anything against establishing such an outfit. But we think that such outfits, when established, must abide by the rule of law,” Chukwuma said.

Reacting, DCP Ibrahim Ezekiel, who stood in for the Commissioner of Police, assured Paul Chukwuma and the group that the issues raised would be addressed by working with all stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Nkem Mbonu, the group’s coordinator, said that the group had articulated three clear demands from their engagements with the people of Anambra State.

The demands include: an investigation into cases of missing persons in Anambra State. Secondly, an investigation into the alleged secret cells of Udogachi in Awka and Onitsha. Finally, the assumption of full security of the state by the police, as well as the disbandment of SASA.

The walk, which covered about seven kilometres, was well received by thousands of Anambra residents, who expressed their disapproval of the modus operandi of Udogachi and SASA operatives.