AWKA, Nigeria – Henry Mbachu, the representative of Awka 1 state constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, has raised alarms over a surge in violence within Awka, the state capital, attributing a rise in cult-related clashes to 34 deaths in the past three weeks alone.
Despite Awka’s status as a hub for top government and security officials, the increase in violence has sparked significant concern about safety and public order in the region.
During a press statement, Mbachu criticised the inadequate response from local authorities and security agencies, emphasising that the presence of high-level officials including the governor, deputy governor, and speaker, as well as key security heads like the Police Commissioner and the director of the Department of State Services (DSS), has not translated into safer streets for the citizens of Awka.
“The continuous loss of lives is unacceptable,” Mbachu stated, calling for a comprehensive approach to address the underlying causes of the violence, which he believes are more complex than mere gang-related activities.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, he has proposed a security summit to bring together various stakeholders in the community to forge a strategy aimed at curbing the distressing trend of violence.
The proposed summit seeks to unite local government leaders, security personnel, community leaders, and other relevant parties to discuss and implement effective solutions to restore peace and ensure the safety of Awka residents.
