No fewer than 14 politically linked killings were recorded in Anambra state between 2022 and 2024, according to a new report by the Cleen Foundation.
The organisation warned that the killings could pose serious threats to the November 2025 governorship election in the state.
Speaking at the public presentation of the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election Security Threat Assessment Report on Tuesday in Abuja, Salaudeen Hashim, director of programmes at the foundation, described the trend as “a disturbing element that requires urgent attention”.
His words: “Within the last two years, some really disturbing trends have emerged in Anambra, particularly political assassinations.
“From 2022 to 2024, we recorded 213 deaths linked to violence, nine INEC facilities attacked, and 14 political assassinations. To have this number within such a short period is something that requires serious attention.”
Hashim said the killings were unfolding against the backdrop of widespread insecurity, proliferation of small arms, kidnappings and the activities of armed groups.
He said political rivalries in the state have often turned violent, with local political structures “deeply politicised”.
The report also flagged threats such as youth gangs, drug abuse, misinformation and disinformation, noting that existing criminal threats combined with fierce political competition “will create heightened risks”.
“One key element blinking very strongly is the issue of small arms. There are a lot of reports about possession and usage of small arms in local areas,” Hashim added.
He urged security agencies to prioritise high-risk local government areas such as Ihiala, Ogbaru, Nnewi South, Orumba North and Onitsha North, which have recently recorded violent incidents.
The director said the foundation would open an Electoral Security Support Centre on November 7 to monitor developments before, during and after the election, while also engaging security agencies to mitigate threats.
On his part, Peter Maduoma, acting executive director of the foundation, said the report was aimed at providing early warning signals to election stakeholders.
“We are looking forward to an election where the system will work. If security is well managed, Anambra can produce one of the best elections,” Maduoma said.
The Anambra governorship election is scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Anambra has witnessed several cases of political assassinations in recent years.
In May 2022, Okechukwu Okoye, a lawmaker representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s constituency, and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, were murdered after being kidnapped by gunmen in Anaocha local government area.
Similarly, Justice Azuka, a member representing Onitsha North 1 state constituency, was abducted on Christmas Eve 2024 and later found dead on February 6, 2025.
