Anambra community places N10m bounty on suspected cultists

The Ezinano community in Anambra State, has announced a N10m reward for any useful information that would enable the police nab suspected cultists for killing over 20 persons in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nibo incident which occurred two weeks ago was followed by that of Ifite, a neighbouring community where seven persons were also killed under similar circumstances.

Mr Jeff Nweke, leader of the Ezinano community in Awka South Local Government Area of the state announced the reward on Saturday during the town’s empowerment programme at the community Square in Awka.

“We are donating the sum of N10m to help the police and other security agencies arrest the killers of over 20 persons in Nibo and Ifite communities.

“The money will go to any person or group that will give the police and other security agencies useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly acts,” he said.

Nweke who decried the killings, said it was strange in the area, and enjoined the police to collaborate with the people to fish out the culprits for prosecution.

The community leader who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Blue Shield Security outfit in Awka, lamented on the high level of moral decay among the youths, and tasked parents to do more in inculcating good morals into their children.

He also announced N50m as part of the initiatives of his leadership to empower indigent women in the community toward improving their farming activities.

According to him, the money would help the women to set up fish and poultry farms to support their families and boost socio-economic activities in the area.

He also said that another N50 million would be distributed to the women in December to further empower them.

Nweke whose community leadership tenure would end next month, urged his people to extend similar support to his successor to ensure continued development of the town.

Also speaking, Mr Arinze Ekelem, another community leader in Ezinano condemned the increase in crime rate which he attributed to get rich qick syndrome.

Ekelem also tasked parents and guardians on their role in inculcating sound moral values into children.

He also advised beneficiaries of the empowerment support to utilise the funds properly for maximum benefit.

Responding on behalf of the women, Mrs Ngozi Nnonyelu, a woman leader in the community, thanked the community leadership for the gesture and prayed to God to reward him abundantly.

Nnonyelu assured the people that the women would prevail on their children to curb youth restiveness, and also use the empowerment money for the purpose intended.