By Ovat Abeng
In his continues effort to curb the trending cult-related killings that has reportedly claimed the lives of about thirty four youths in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, the Lawmaker representing Awka 1 Constituency in the State House of Assembly under Labour Party, Honourable Nigeria Henry Mbachu has held a security summit to put to rest, the menace.
The summit which took place at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka, on Wednesday, has in attendence Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, Awka stakeholders including the Ozo title holders, village heads, women leaders, clergies, politicians and colleagues of the convener.
In his opening speech at the summit, Hon. Mbachu who decried the falling moral values amongst the youth, failure of parents, and, elders to inculcate moral values in their children, stated that despite that gates have been constructed at the entry and exit points of virtually every street, numbering currently about 54 gates, and, about 18 village vigilant group, the situation has really required that a more deliberate actions should be taken to proffer solutions to the ugly development.
He assured that he would continue to engage the state government led by Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in Awka until a positive resort is achieved.
Read Also: Biafra Day: Police demobilize suspected IPOB sit-at-home enforcer in Anambra
As part of the solutions, secretary of the Ozo title holders, Ozo Ndu Nwakalor said that they have decreed henceforth that any of their members who facilitated bail from security custody for any criminal suspects would be ex-communicated, and, de-titled as Ozo.
Presidential general of Awka Women town union, Mrs Ogechukwu Ekwuozor, a lawyer urged various security agencies in the state to prioritize security of the capital city.
She bemoaned the falling of moral values, and urged mothers to take up the challenge of monitoring the behaviour of their children, and, stop shielding them when they indulge in criminality.
The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh and member representing Awka-South and Awka-North federal constituency, Prof. Lilian Orogbu who made their contributions at the summit via zoom urged the elders, and, other community leaders to rein in the youth, emphasizing that security was critical for the investors, and, democracy dividends they are attracting to impact on the area.
It was gathered that the city has been in the cult-related crisis since February 2024 till date.