Just as news of an attack on a pastor’s house in Lilu was still being digested, another report was received of an attack carried out by gunmen at Afor Nawfia, Njokoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, last Sunday, which claimed the lives of four people, all males.
In the Lilu incident, the pastor’s house was burnt and his wife reportedly murdered, according to one account. While the Lilu incident had the imprimatur of an attack by those called unknown gunmen and who are known to be agitating for a Biafra Republic, the Nawfia incident looked like a cult attack, as was subsequently affirmed by the Anambra State Police Command.
It will be necessary to distinguish between attacks by unknown gunmen and those of cultists. While the former, attack those perceived to have spoken against them and operate with more sophisticated weapons, including locally made bombs, the latter attack rival cult group members and usually isolate them before shooting them. Nevertheless, both groups have since proved surplus to requirements in our society.
There were fears that the Lilu attack might signal the return of the unknown gunmen after what seemed a successful routing of them. The fears about them are because they pose more danger as they attack everybody, unlike cult attacks that are targeted at only rival groups. But whatever may be the case, the Anambra State Government should double down on both threats, especially as we approach the yuletide when criminality is usually high.
We urge the authorities to emplace proactive measures rather than sitting back to always react when the damage is already done. We know from experience that once such attacks become regular and widespread, the number of people coming home for the Christmas festivities reduce out of fear.
This usually affects family life as it is the period when most families reunite. In the recent past, security was usually beefed up in such a period, with good results. Last Christmas there was nothing like that in Anambra as criminals overwhelmed the state until the launch of Anambra Homeland Security in the following month of January.
It is another Christmas period and once more the state has been gripped by fear as criminal elements are once again threatening to overrun the state. We call on the Anambra State Government to therefore, rise to the occasion and take the battle to these pernicious elements through proactive measures. The borders of the state should be heavily monitored as many of these criminals sneak in from outside the state to carry out their evil agenda.
It is unfortunate that there seems little or no collaborative effort among the Southeast Governments. We say this because without such collaboration, fighting crime will be rendered useless, as criminals who are chased out from one state enter another and continue their business. But a collaborative effort will ensure that these hoodlums will have nowhere to hide and that is the quickest way to achieve peace.
We pray God to protect all those coming home to commemorate His Birth and pray for a change of heart by the criminals.
