Community Leader Laments Increasing Rate Of Cult Killings In Awka Calls For Concerted Effort To Check The Menace
By Ifeizu Joe Send an
A community Leader in Awka, Anambra State, Ozo Jeff Nweke, has lamented the increasing rate of violent crimes especially cult killings in the area, appealing to all stakeholders to join hands in checking the menace.
Ozo Nweke made the appeal when he convened the Ezinano Community Security Summit in Awka.
Speaking at Security Summit, titled, “Combating/Preventing Violent Crimes and Cultism in Awka Metropolitan City,” the community leader made a passionate appeal to residents to take action against the rising violent crime, which he noted, has claimed many young lives.
The Ezinano Community, comprising 20 villages, including Umudiana Amikwo, Okperi Amikwo, Igweogige Amikwo, Ishiagu Amikwo, Obunagu Amikwo, Onuko Amikwo, Umukwa, Umuogwali, Umueri, Umuogbunu I, Umuogbunu II, Umudioka, Umuogbu, Umumbele, Umuike, Umuonaga, Umujagwo, Umuoruka, Umuenechi, and Umuokpu, has been severely hit by violent crimes and cultism.
Nweke warned against resorting to “shoot on sight” tactics, but rather advocated collaborative approach with security agencies to address the root causes of the problem.
He lamented the devastating effects of cultism and violent crime in town, particularly Ezinano village, which, he noted, has lost 20 young people to the .
The Security Summit convener attributed the surge in crime to the city’s status as state capital, citing the attendant erosion of societal values and culture.
Nweke emphasized the need for Community-Police Relations and urged security agencies to apply in-depth knowledge to solve the problem.
He thanked the police and other security agencies for their assistance, while also calling for external help to complement local efforts.
The community Leader asserted that Awka residents must take responsibility for their security, saying, “We don’t need only the Police Commissioner or DSS to defend ourselves. We must defend ourselves.”
In his submission, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Obono Nnaghe Itam, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anaetie Eyo, identified inferiority complex, domestic violence, unemployment, and social injustice as underlying causes of cultism.
He traced the origin of cultism to tertiary institutions, where it often begins, but noted that street cultists are often recruited by individuals who have graduated from higher institutions and are seeking sense of belonging.
Additionally, he blamed politicians for recruiting cultists during elections and highlighted the role of dysfunctional homes in contributing to cultism.
CP Itam maintained that security should not be a one-man affair and called for synergy in combating crime.
He further underscored the vital importance of families and schools in preventing cultism and other crimes, and called for collaborative effort between these institutions and security agencies in tackling the menace head-on.l
