The Ezinano community in Anambra State has announced a N10 million reward for any useful information that help the police nab suspected cultists for killing over 20 persons in the area.

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.

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

He said, “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.’’.

Mr Nweke who decried the killings, said it was strange in the area, 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 the high level of moral decay among the youth and tasked parents to do more in inculcating good morals into their children.

He also announced N50 million 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 will 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.

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

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

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

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

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

(NAN)