By Ovat Abeng
Stakeholders from Ezinano Community- Awka, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has attributed poverty and unemployment as the major cause of cult- related violence in the capital city of the State.
They noted that if there are availability of jobs for Awka indigenes, particularly for the youth, the situation will be reduced to the barest minimum.
The stakeholders made their position known at a one-day security summit, titled “Combating/Preventing Violent Crimes and Cultism in Awka Metropolitan City,” held at Emmaus House, Arthur Eze Avenue, Awka, on Wednesday.
The Paradise News gathered that the summit was part of the community continue ‘s effort to curtailed the trending menace in the state capital.
Speaking further on behalf of the stakeholders and the convener of the summit, Ozo Jeff Nweke, urged the State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo to as a matter of humanity intervened.
He also appeal to residents to take action against the rising violent crime in Awka, which has claimed many young lives in the area.
According to him, the summit is to brainstormed on how to addressed and proffer solution to the problem.
“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 affected by violent crime and cultism.
“Before choosing Awka as the state capital, the community and the people were known for its hospitality, creative and hardworking. We were not known for crime. What is currently happening in our community (Awka), is beyond our imagination. Cultism and other violent crimes is adversely affected us. We are burying our children, uncles, cousins on daily basis as a result of the ugly development which was never part of culture and traditions.
“Our youth are enrolling into cultism because they are poor and unemployed and the state government is not doing anything about it. We have no land any longer, where our women and youths can engaged in partisan farming to ameliorate the hardship.
“I think at this point, there is need for community-police relations and other security agencies to apply in-depth knowledge to solve the problem.
“Awka residents must take responsibility for their security. “We don’t need only the police commissioner or DSS to defend ourselves. We must defend ourselves.”
Nweke while commending the police and other security outfits for their assistance, also urged for external help to complement their local efforts.
The Commissioner of Police, 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 origins 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 a sense of belonging.
Additionally, he blamed politicians for recruiting cultists during elections and highlighted the role of dysfunctional homes in contributing to cultism.
He maintained that security should not be a one-man affair and called for synergy in combating crime.
The CP underscored the vital importance of families and schools in preventing cultism and other crimes.
He called for a collaborative effort between these institutions and security agencies to tackle the issue head-on.
