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Stakeholders and security operatives in Awka, Anambra State, have convened to find solutions to the rampant cult killings and other crimes plaguing the community.
To achieve this, a security symposium, titled “Combating and Preventing Violent Crimes and the Menace of Cultism in Awka,”was held on Wednesday, August 21, at Emmaus House, with all major security agencies in the state present.
It was gathered that over the past year, Awka has been gripped by cult-related violence, resulting in the deaths of at least 50 young men.
Ozo Jeff Nweke, the convener from the Ezinano Community, which includes 20 of Awka’s 33 villages, emphasized that the city cannot continue on this path and called for an end to the killings.
He enjoined residents to take action against the rising violent crime, stating that the entire community is suffering deeply.
Nweke warned against resorting to “shoot on sight” tactics, instead advocating for a collaborative approach with security agencies to address the root causes of the problem.
The Commissioner of Police, Obono Itam, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of operations, Aniete 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 were often recruited by individuals who had graduated from higher institutions and were seeking a sense of belonging.
He also blamed politicians for recruiting cultists during elections and highlighted the role of dysfunctional homes in contributing to cultism.
He pointed out the way forward to ending the menace which included the roles of families, educational institutions, neighbourhood watch with collaboration with security outfits, and implementation strategy through government, among others.
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