By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Governor of Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has called on Christians in the state to unite to defend their faith in the face of evil, saying that criminals terrorizing Anambra State are fighting to intimidate the people back into idolatry.

He made the statement at the Second Session of the Sixth Synod of Anglican Diocese of Aguata, held at St James’ Church, Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area on Sunday.

He said: “The last institution those causing mayhem in the state want to exterminate is the church, but they will not succeed.

“Anambra is a Christian state, and will never succumb to idolatry.”

Recall that Soludo had in a statewide broadcast said that part of the strategy of the criminals was to instill fear in people, through traditional religious practices, which involve swearing people to oaths, and human sacrifices.

Addressing the church, the governor stressed that following his recent declaration of state of emergency on criminal elements operating in the state, security forces are already taking the war squarely to the hideouts of those terrorizing the state, noting that most have been arrested.

He added: “The quest to secure Anambra State is a collective fight. I urge ndi Anambra to report activities of those who have seen criminality in the state as a lucrative enterprise.

“Despite scanty resources, we are determined to give ndi Anambra a state to be proud of.” Meanwhile, there have been a resurgence of traditionalists in the state recently, with many youths resorting to fetish practices, that have long been abandoned by their forefathers.