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By Madu Obi
Stakeholders in Awka, the Anambra State capital have expressed worry over the increasing incidence of cultism in the area and have initiated moves to end it.
Cult-related killings and other gun running violence have been rampant in the area, thus necessitating a meeting to find a solution to the problem.
Among the stakeholders who met were Mr. Ossy Onuko, Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Agency (ACTDA); Hon Nigeria Mbachu, member representing Awka South 1 constituency in the State House of Assembly and Hon. ThankGod Anagor, the Transition Committee Chairman of Awka South local government area.
Rising from a crucial security meeting in the area, the stakeholders promised to find a lasting solution to the cult clashes and create an environment where peace and harmony would reign supreme.
In the words of Onuko, the ACTDA managing director, the current security situation of the town has become a source of concern to the people such that they are now living in fear.
According to him, “Residents of Awka are beginning to witness a little bit of a setback in the security architecture of the town in terms of cult-related gun violence where our youths indulge in the killing of each other and endangering the lives of other innocent residents."
“We, as servants of the people, have brainstormed and come up with a strategy that will yield a good result to the challenge.”he said.
He, however, assured that the safety of the residents and other visitors to the state remained the priority of Soludo government.
He said that as the present administration is working hard to reposition Awka to a smart mega city, the progress attained can never be allowed to be disrupted by crime and criminality.
"There is need to embrace peace as there is no gain in crime and violence", he told the youths
He also appealed to them to shun all forms of gun-related violence and give peace a chance in Awka so that people can freely go about their businesses.
Also speaking, Mbachu, who represents Awka South in the state House of Assembly, called for a collective action, stating that what is happening in the town has become something that can no longer be taken for granted.
Mbachu said that one of the approaches they have made was to partner with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other relevant agencies to reorient the people and channel their minds towards doing things that would better their lives and society.
On his own, the TC chairman of Awka South, Hon ThankGod Anagor, said gun violence in Awka has grown from endemic analysis to an epidemic issue, adding that it was for that reason that they decided to take action.
“Cultists are known gunmen. They are our sons and daughters. We will start from somewhere and that is why we are preaching to them to imbibe peace. But we have other options too," the lawmaker said.
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