BY RAPHAEL EKPANG
The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on Tuesday ordered the INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE and the DIRECTOR GENERAL of the DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE SECURITY, DSS to deploy security personnel to AWKA NORTH / SOUTH FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY to intensify patrol, investigate and arrest the perpetrators and sponsors of cultism with a view to restoring normalcy in AWKA TOWN.
In a motion, “The Need to Curb the Lingering Activities of Rival Cult Groups in Awka North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra” sponsored by Hon. SAMUEL CHINEDU ONWUASO.
The House noted that the Capital of ANAMBRA STATE is AWKA, located between ONITSHA and ENUGU with an estimated population of 301,657.
Also notes that the cult groups have been used by politicians and influential individuals to perpetrate corruption, intimidation, killings, kidnappings, robberies and other criminal activities over the years
However, the house also mandated the Committees on Police Affairs and the National Security and Intelligence to liaise with the Inspector–General of Police and the Director-General, DSS to ensure implementation and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
HON. ONWUASO, while presenting the motion to the house stated that those cult members and other thugs are mobilized and funded to rig, stuff ballot boxes, intimidate and scare off legitimate voters during elections.
According to him, Cultural and Festive activities are also not left out as those cult groups come out en masse with all sorts of weapons, shooting sporadically into the air, thus triggering fear in the area.
He further stated that as a result of the activities of those rival cult groups, over 100 youths had been shot dead in the streets of AWKA, leaving local residents terrorized with its attendant effect on economic activities which have been relegated. Concerned that no arrests have been made as the cult groups continue to perpetrate their activities, moving freely in AWKA TOWN and spreading rapidly without any check, thus making the town vulnerable to further attacks.
