Anambra Community Seeks Assistance Amidst Rising Violence; See Details of Number Reported Dead
Amidst ongoing cult-related violence and increasing criminal activities around Awka, Anambra State, particularly in Ezinano community, local leaders and security experts have gathered for a security summit to address these pressing issues.
Held in Awka on Monday, the summit highlighted concerns that the state government’s lack of infrastructure and employment opportunities for youth—after acquiring lands and leaving farmlands abandoned—might be contributing to the surge in violence. The summit, titled “Combating/Preventing Violent Crimes and Cultism in Awka Metropolitan City,” was organized by the Ezinano community, which includes 20 villages such as Umudiana Amikwo, Okperi Amikwo, and others severely affected by criminal activities.
Recent investigations by South-East PUNCH revealed that over 20 lives have been lost to cult-related conflicts in these villages over the past six months, causing widespread fear among residents.
Ozo Jeff Nweke, the summit’s organizer and a community leader, urged local residents to take proactive measures against the escalating violence in Awka, which has resulted in numerous fatalities. He expressed frustration over the state government’s absence from the summit and criticized the reliance on extreme measures by security forces, advocating instead for a collaborative approach to address the root causes of the violence.
Nweke stressed the importance of community-police cooperation and requested additional external support to complement local efforts. He emphasized that the community must take responsibility for its own security and not solely depend on external authorities.
The Commissioner of Police, Obono Nnaghe Itam, identified factors such as inferiority complexes, domestic violence, unemployment, and social injustice as key drivers of cultism. Represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Anaetie Eyo, Itam traced the origins of cultism to higher education institutions and highlighted the role of politicians in recruiting cultists during elections. He called for a combined effort from families, schools, and security agencies to effectively combat these issues.
