Awka Community Calls for Partnership with Security Agencies on Cult Killings

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Indigenes of Ezinano Community in Awka, the capital of Anambra State have called for partnership with security agencies to stop the rampant cult related killings in the city.

Awka has recently become a hub for killing of youths, which has been attributed to tussle by members of various cult groups in the city.

Indigenes of the community who gathered at a security summit organized by its leadership yesterday called for partnership with all the security agencies, insisting that only a partnership with the community can stem the tide of killings.

Convener of the symposium, Mr. Jeff Nweke said: “We as Awka people know those responsible for the killings in Awka, and we want the security agencies to partner with us.

“This is because we are the ones who know our sons that are into this. They are our children; we know their names and where they live.”

“So, we ask that you security agencies should work with us.

“We are seeing the things happening in Awka. They say it is cultism, and involves killing and decapitating of people and they are doing it with impunity. We want to use this opportunity to tell our people that we will no longer condone it. We are rejecting it. What is happening today is not just to reject it but also to look for a solution to it.

“We were happy the day Awka was made state capital, but so many activities taking place here is depriving us of our values and culture. We as Awka people are industrious people.

“We are not lazy and our people are not those who don’t want to work, but today are children are now participating in cultism and we are asking security agencies to please come to our aid. This was not what Awka used to be.”

Nweke condemned the continued rush by families of slain youths to bury them to avoid confiscation of the bodies by security operatives.

He insisted that the bodies help security agencies to conduct investigation, unravel the culprits and also bring them to book as a way to deter other youths from engaging in such.

He noted that poverty and unemployment are some of the reasons for the rise in cult activities. He said the community is planning empowerment for youths, as a way keeping them busy.

The symposium was attended by heads of various security agencies including the state Commissioner of Police, state director of Department of State Services (DSS), state commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and others.

CP Nnaghe Itam who was represented by ACP Operations, Anietie Eyo, who delivered a paper on: “Cultism and Violent Crimes: Prevention and Deterrence,” gave parents tips on how to spot signs that their children have started association with criminal gangs.

He pledged to work with the community to ensure that violent crimes were stopped in the state capital.