AWKUZU — Tensions are running high in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, following allegations that operatives of the state-backed security joint task force, Operation Udogachi (Udo Ga Achị), shot a young man for questioning the physical assault of his brother.
The incident was brought to public attention by an Anambra-based commentator and content creator, Evangelist Ebube Joseph, who raised the alarm over what has been described as a severe case of extrajudicial violence and human rights abuse.
According to reports, the victim’s only “offense” was speaking up to demand explanations from the armed operatives while they were allegedly assaulting his sibling during an enforcement operation in the area.
“Man was shot yesterday by Operation Udogachi operatives in Awkuzu, Anambra State. His offense was speaking up and questioning why his brother was being assaulted by operatives of Operation Udogachi,” Evangelist Ebube Joseph revealed in a public statement.
The Rise of Operation Udogachi
Operation Udogachi (translated as “Peace Shall Reign”) is a specialized joint security initiative backed by the Anambra State Government. It comprises formal security agencies alongside the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) and regional tactical squads.
While the state government has heavily defended the outfit as a necessary measure to clear criminal hideouts, combat kidnapping, and flush out violent non-state actors from the state’s forests and urban centers, the initiative has increasingly faced scrutiny over operational discipline.
The Awkuzu axis, which historically housed a notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) facility, remains a highly sensitive region regarding allegations of law enforcement misconduct and heavy-handedness.
Growing Concerns Over Extralegal Violence
The shooting has reignited an intense domestic debate regarding the accountability of state-sanctioned vigilante networks and task forces operating in the Southeast.
While residents acknowledge the need for strict security measures to curb the activities of gunmen, civil rights advocates maintain that giving unchecked power to local tactical units frequently leads to the victimization of innocent citizens.
Neither the Anambra State Police Command nor the leadership of the Operation Udogachi task force has issued an official statement regarding the shooting incident in Awkuzu.
However, community leaders and human rights organizations are demanding an immediate, transparent investigation into the operational conduct of the officers involved, warning that arbitrary violence against residents could severely undermine civilian trust in the state’s security apparatus.
