By Ifeizu Joe
Executive Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Hon Stanley Nkwoka has signed a new bylaw banning cultism in the area.
This is coming a month after some persons suspected to be cultists stormed a burial ceremony in Ogidi community, the headquarters of the local government, attacking mourners and killing four.
The 18 years old boy being buried was also alleged to be a member of a rival cult, and suspected to have participated in attacks on their rivals, hence the reprisal.
Hon. Nkwoka during a brief signing ceremony of the new bill into law said the killing incident shook the entire local government, prompting stakeholders, including him, the leaders of the 10 communities in the area and the legislature to meet and fine-tune plans about how to stop future occurrence.
He said: “In Anambra, we have a challenge, and that’s cultism, which has extended to our local government.
“Last month, we had shootings that claimed lives. This led to a security meeting convened at my instance.
“All the monarchs, PGs (presidents General) and youth leaders and other well-meaning individuals were in attendance and came up with a by-law to checkmate cultism in our area.
“We’re also going to set up the body that will partner with the police and other security agencies to enforce the law.
“With this law, there will be less cult killings and both indigenes and residents will now live happier and freer.
From today, perpetrators will go into hiding.
“I might not be the Mayor for ever, but the little time I have must be maximized for the good of our people. Here in Idemili, we want peace and that’s the reason for the law which is the model of the state, and was graciously passed into law by Congress of Counsellors which we signed today to become operational.”
He said the bylaw is an emulation of the Anambra Homeland Security Law, which was signed into law in February this year by the governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
He urged youths to be free to report any infraction against the new law within their area to appropriate authorities, promising that the area has security architecture to intervene.
