During a town-hall meeting with the Anambra diaspora in Maryland, USA on July 7, Governor Charles Soludo asserted that nearly all criminals and kidnappers arrested in Anambra State are Igbo, not Fulani herdsmen.
“In my three years and three months in office, 99.99 percent of the kidnappers and other criminals we’ve arrested are Igbo. Let’s stop the lies. Igbos are kidnapping and killing fellow Igbos, not Fulani,” he said .
Soludo highlighted how the “false narrative” blaming Fulani herdsmen has obscured the fact that local youths, pushed by the profitability of kidnapping and other illicit activities, are largely responsible .
Background
Local versus outsider narrative
Soludo emphasized this distinction to counter widespread claims that Fulani herdsmen have taken refuge in Southeast forests and perpetrated violent crimes .
Statistical basis
The governor framed his remarks around arrests made by state security forces, asserting “if we have arrested 100 criminals … 99.99 percent are Igbo” .
Reactions & Counterclaims
Civil rights groups speak out
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) branded the statement “reckless” and “vexatious,” warning that it could undermine security by downplaying the presence of armed Fulani in forest areas .
They allege the governor’s administration may have “shielded jihadist herdsmen since 2022,” accusing it of aligning with federal ranching policies and risking serious long-term consequences .
Why it matters
Ethnic tensions: Highlighting one ethnic group as nearly exclusively responsible for crime risks inflaming existing ethnic sensitivities in a region already facing intergroup tension.
Public policy implications: Soludo’s focus on internal actors could shift the focus toward retooling local law enforcement—but may divert attention from external threats.
Demand for transparency: Calls are growing for independent verification of arrest data—detailing ethnic breakdowns, locations, and types of crimes—to establish whether the 99.9% figure holds up to scrutiny.
What’s next?
Action Purpose
Data request Soludo’s claim is based on internal security records—official arrest logs with ethnic info should be examined or published by police.
Independent investigation A transparent inquiry could involve federal agencies, NGOs, or academic oversight to validate or challenge the governor’s figures.
Local responses It’s vital to capture how community and ethnic leaders—especially within the Igbo community—are responding to the claim and whether they view it as fair or inflammatory.
Security strategy review Assessments are needed to determine whether current policing plans overly focus on internal suspects or neglect potential external attackers.
Bottom line
Governor Soludo’s statement—“99.9%, or more precisely 99.99%, of criminals arrested in Anambra are Igbo”—is a high-impact assertion grounded in official stats from state security forces . However, without access to independent data verification, the claim remains unconfirmed. Its broader impact touches on ethnic harmony, trust in law enforcement, and public confidence in government narratives.