34 People Killed in Awka Amid Cult Violence, Anambra Lawmaker Urges Community Action

A wave of cult-related violence has resulted in the death of at least 34 people in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, within the last month. The violent incidents began on Easter Sunday and have continued to claim lives, prompting growing concern among residents and local officials.

Anambra House of Assembly member Henry Mbachu, representing Awka South I, expressed his alarm over the rising number of killings and described the situation as “worrisome.” Mbachu announced plans to host a security summit on May 29 to address the crisis and seek community-driven solutions.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mbachu revealed that the state’s security forces appear to be struggling to contain the violence. He urged traditional and community leaders, faith-based organizations, and the youth to take action and join the fight against cultism.

“As your representative in the state assembly, I am pained about the rate of killings in the name of cultism and wish to find a permanent solution,” said Mbachu. He stressed the need for collective action to separate cultism from crime and find lasting solutions.

Mbachu also noted that the Anambra legislature has passed an anti-cultism bill, which is awaiting the governor’s approval. The proposed security summit aims to gather stakeholders to discuss strategies for reducing cult-related violence and submit recommendations to the government.

In response to the escalating violence, Anambra police command spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated that law enforcement has been working tirelessly to curb cultism. The police, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police (CP) Aderemi Adeoye, have implemented various measures to combat crime, resulting in a reduction in killings.

Ikenga reiterated the police command’s commitment to partnering with any group or organization dedicated to fighting insecurity, emphasizing their determination to eliminate criminality from Anambra State.