Ezinano community in Awka South Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra state, weekend, announced a reward of ₦10 million for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the killing of about 25 persons within the capital city in the month of October.
Gunmen suspected to be cultists had on October 21, 2024 launched series of attacks at Nibo community during new yam festival, including Nọdụ village in Okpuno and Ifite village in Awka communities, killing and injuring many youth, underaged, the aged and women.
The leader of Ezinano, Ozo Jeff Nweke, who announced the bounty at second edition of Ezinano Day, a celebration of the community’s culture and heritage, said they were deeply pained over the killings which he described as man inhumanity-to-man and unjustifiable act.
Nweke, who also warned members of the community not to engage in cultism and killings, re-emphasised their resolve to excommunicate and support the law enforcement agents to prosecute anyone caught in the acts.
He further launched ₦100 million empowerment funds to enable their women venture and explore any business of their choice so as to build entrepreneurs, captains of industry and jobs creators from among the 20 villages in Ezinano for everlasting peace and prosperity.
“Today, we are also launching our ₦100 million empowerment scheme to enable our women engage in different businesses of their choice. But we are realising ₦50 million today for this project, while the other ₦50 million will be released before December 2024. This programme is part of our commitment to build a prosperous and peaceful community. We believe that empowering women is key to unlocking our community’s potential,” he stated.