Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has commended President Bola Tinubu for his renewed determination and vigour in tackling terrorism and insecurity across Nigeria, expressing confidence that the long-running challenge will be decisively overcome.
Soludo made the remarks on Thursday during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka. He joined senior military officers, security chiefs, and government officials in a wreath-laying and parade to honour fallen Nigerian service members.
Paying tribute to President Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the governor praised the federal government’s intensified security efforts and improved collaboration among the armed forces and other security agencies.
“For almost two decades, insecurity has festered and almost become a new normal,” Soludo said. “But with the renewed vigour and collaboration we are seeing across the armed forces and allied agencies, we are confident that terrorism will finally be dealt with and decisively conquered.”
He urged young people in Anambra State and the wider South-East to take a more active role in national security by enlisting in the military and police, warning that low participation from the region could prove counter-productive in the long term.
According to Soludo, Anambra recorded the lowest level of interest in recent recruitment exercises into the armed forces and the police. “This country belongs to all of us. We cannot be full members of Nigeria while avoiding participation in its institutions. If we stay away, we will one day complain of marginalisation that we brought upon ourselves,” he said.
The governor also appealed to individuals involved in armed groups operating from forests and camps in the region to lay down their weapons and embrace peace, describing their activities as criminal rather than liberating.
“You are not liberating anyone,” he said. “Human beings do not live in forests. The era of terror must end. Those who are willing to lay down their arms will be supported to become productive citizens, but those who refuse should know that the battle line has been drawn.”
Soludo also paid tribute to serving and fallen members of the armed forces, paramilitary personnel, and veterans, acknowledging their courage, sacrifice, and selfless service to the nation. He noted that Remembrance Day was not only to honour those who died during the civil war and other conflicts, but also to recognise those who continue to risk their lives to keep Nigeria united, peaceful, and prosperous.
Reflecting on security improvements in Anambra, the governor said sustained efforts had helped reclaim several local government areas previously affected by criminal activity, contributing to what he described as a notably peaceful Christmas season in the state.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed annually on 15 January, commemorates Nigeria’s military personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. The Awka ceremony featured a moment of silence, intercessory prayers, gun salutes, military parades, wreath-laying, and the symbolic release of white pigeons to represent remembrance, gratitude, and hope for lasting peace.