Anambra State issues youth leadership age limits and faces police misconduct allegations

The Anambra State Government has issued a directive requiring all youth organizations to ensure their membership and leadership structures consist of individuals aged between 18 and 35. This policy, set to be strictly enforced starting January 1, 2027, aims to ensure that opportunities reserved for young people are occupied by eligible youths. Dr. Nelson Omenugha, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, stated that organizations failing to comply with these age brackets will no longer be recognized by the state.

Simultaneously, the state is facing growing public outcry regarding allegations of police intimidation and extortion targeting young men. Reports suggest that security operatives have been accosting youths, conducting unlawful arrests, and demanding money for their release. Despite the establishment of a judicial panel of inquiry into police brutality in 2020, residents claim that harassment and arbitrary detention remain persistent issues, prompting calls for Governor Soludo to intervene.