Fears in Anambra Community Over 19 Missing Rifles

The Awada community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State is engulfed in fears and concerns over 19 missing rifles donated to the local vigilante security team.

The incident caused a commotion at the community town hall on Sunday, as the newly-elected President-General, Patrick Oyeduba, and other executive members discovered that only eight out of the 27 pump action guns donated to the outgoing local vigilante were handed over. The whereabouts of the remaining 19 rifles remain unknown.

The handover, which included other security items such as vehicles, motorcycles, and gadgets, was supervised by a police team from the Area Commander in Ogidi, led by Inspector Hyginus Giwonke.

The community had elected new executive members in April, with Oyeduba emerging as the new President-General of the Awada Landlord Association. Speaking to journalists, Oyeduba explained that the change in community leadership necessitated an overhaul of the security architecture to enhance security.

“Today, our community is changing its security architecture and personnel. A new security outfit under the Nigeria Police Community Policing, led by Commander Jude Akachukwu, has taken over,” Oyeduba stated. He emphasized the need for new personnel who would be loyal to the new leadership, citing past security concerns despite the presence of a local vigilante team.

“In the last dispensation, the community witnessed many cases of stealing, kidnapping, burglary, armed robberies, and attacks by hoodlums. This indicated that the previous security team was ineffective. Therefore, it became necessary to overhaul the security apparatus of the community,” Oyeduba added. He assured residents that the new security measures would allow them to sleep peacefully.

Oyeduba expressed concerns over the missing rifles, stating that an official report would be made regarding the troubling development.

Inspector Giwonke, who supervised the handover, advised the new security team to maintain constant vigilance. Commander Jude Akachukwu of the new security team promised the community adequate security of lives and property, warning criminals that there would be no hiding place for them in Awada.

“We will ensure the people of Awada are well protected. Hoodlums disturbing the community’s peace will find no refuge here,” Akachukwu asserted.