The Isiagu Community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra, has stepped down the State Homeland Security Law to the grassroots to tackle insecurity in the area.
Mr Nwabueze Nwokoye, interim President General (PG) Isiagu Community, made this known on Tuesday, during the inauguration of the 2025 Isiagu Community Summit
The summit was tagged, “Making Isiagu a Secured, Peaceful and Prosperous Community.”
“Previous years, we had cases of kidnapping, armed robbery attacks, burglaries, land racketeering, and other fraudulent, criminal, and violent activities.
“These have really painted Isiagu in a bad light, Isiagu is now considered a crime zone and criminal hideouts.
“Most of our illustrious sons and daughters hardly return home because of fear of kidnapping and other criminal vices,” Nwokoye said.
He therefore urged all indigenes and non-indigenes of the Isiagu community who were into all forms of criminal activities to desist from such acts.
“Aĺl indegenes and non-indigenes engaging in any form of crime, hard drugs, rituals and violent activities are advised to quit now.
” Hencefourth, we are going to be ruthless in sanitising our community and make it crime free.
“We are also directing everyone with illegal firearms to quickly surrender and submit them to myself, the interim PG, who is the Chief Security Officer of the community, Agunechemba Commander or to the Divisional Police Officer.”
He explained that the Agunechemba Isiagu Management and Finance Committee, which would also be inaugurated, would be responsible for managing and funding security in the community.
“Inline with the State Homeland Security Law, this committee that is made up of not more than 50 illustrious sons and daughters of Isiagu community will be inaugurated today by the Mayor of Awka South local government area, Mr Chinedu Okafor,” he said.
The PG thanked Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, and the State Assembly for passing into law the Homeland Security Law to secure lives and properties, and also attract investments.
“Let me at this juncture, thank the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo for his social reengineering and transformation of the security sector of the state.
“He is not alone in this struggle. Appreciation also goes to the Anambra State House of Assembly for giving us the new Anambra State Homeland Security Law, which was signed into law on Jan. 18, by His Excellency, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
“This law proffers community approach to security issues in the state. Every crime happens in the community, and such the community should take ownership and responsibility for their security.”
According to him, an Isiagu Security Trust Fund, which would take care of the recruitment, training, logistics, and emoluments of all members of the Agunechemba Security outfit, will also be inaugurated.
“From calculations, we will need at least two Shuttle Buses and one Sienna, 10 firearms and rounds of ammunition, and about N2 million monthly for salaries and logistics of our Agunechemba members.
“We appeal for your kind donations and support,” he said.
Inaugurating the committees, Okafor said there was a need for the people to embrace peace in order to get rid of criminals in the community.
Okafor attributed the recurring criminal activities to the get rich quick syndrome among the youths.
According to him, many of the suspected criminals are youths who are not ready for decent jobs to make a living.
“The criminals in our community live among us. Therefore, security must be the business of all of us in order to chase criminals away from Isiagu.
Also, Mr Chukwuma Okoye, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, representing Awka South-2 Constituency, who donated an undisclosed amount of money, pledged support to tackle insecurity in the area.
Similarly, Mr Martin Nwajagu, Chairman of the event and a community leader, said that security must be a collective task of all members of the community for the security outfit to succeed in Isiagu.
“If we agree today that Isiagu is a safe community, it will work for us.
“We must call a spade a spade in order to attract development to Isiagu,” Nwajiagu said.
Nwajagu, who was represented by Mr Chigbo Nweke, a member of the community, enjoined the people to cooperate with their community leaders to ensure a safe environment for all.
He urged parents to inculcate good moral values in their children towards ensuring a better community.
The Chairman expressed optimism that after the summit, the community would be peaceful, secured, and prosperous.
Mr Chukwujekwu Akabueze, a community member and businessman, said that he donated Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), solar panels, and lights to help secure the community.
The occasion witnessed the inaugurations of the Agunechemba security outfit management committee, Isiagu security trust fund, and the Constitution amendment committee.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that people of the community donated funds, solar lights, and CCTV to support operations of the security outfit.
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