Members of the Ezinano Community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State have announced a ₦10 million reward for anybody who will offer information leading to the capture of perpetrators of the killings that occurred in the Nibo community two weeks ago.

No fewer than 13 lives were lost in the incident that occurred in Nibo, also in Awka South LGA, during the community’s ‘Onwa Asaa festival’, when yet-to-be-identified gunmen invaded the venue of the festival and started shooting indiscriminately.

The killings, confirmed by the state police command as “cult-related clashes,” also involved some residents of the Ezinano community, which shares a boundary with Nibo.

The leadership of Ezinano announced the reward on Friday, during the Second Edition of “Ezinano Day,” a celebration of the community’s culture and heritage.

Speaking on the development, the community leader, Jeff Nweke, condemned the dastardly attack in the area while declaring war on cultism in Ezinano and surrounding communities, just as he vowed to avenge future deaths.

Nweke said, “The Ezinano Community will not tolerate violence or cultism. We will not rest until justice is served. We urge anyone with information to come forward and help bring the perpetrators to justice.

“A N10 million reward has been set aside for anyone with useful information that will help the community to capture the perpetrators and put an end to the dastardly act.”

Nweke also unveiled a N100m empowerment fund for rural women, with an initial launch of N50m, adding that the fund was meant to support women-led initiatives and promote economic development in the area.

“The empowerment programme is part of our commitment to building a prosperous and peaceful community. We believe that empowering women is key to unlocking our community’s potential.

“When you empower the women, you have empowered the community because women are the key to community development,” he added.

The community leader also used the occasion to announce that he would hand over the mantle of Ezinano leadership to someone else by December.

The ceremony attracted dignitaries and also featured masquerade dances, cultural performances and community festivities.

PUNCH