A controversy has erupted in Awada community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, following the disappearance of 19 pump action guns donated to the local vigilante security team.
According to The PUNCH, the guns went missing during the handover of security equipment to a new security outfit, sparking fears and concerns among community leaders and residents.
The community’s newly-elected President-General, Patrick Oyeduba, and executive members discovered the discrepancy during a handing over ceremony at the community town hall on Sunday.
Only eight of the 27 pump action guns donated to the outgoing local vigilante were accounted for, with the remaining 19 untraceable.
The handing over of security items, including vehicles, motorcycles, and other gadgets, was supervised by a police team from the Ogidi Area Command, led by Inspector Hyginus Giwonke.
Oyeduba expressed concern over the missing guns, stating that an official report would be made to address the issue.
He said, “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 today.
This development became necessary because we want to fortify the security in the area by bringing in new personnel who will be loyal to the new leadership of the community.
“In the past, we had lots of security concerns even though we had the local vigilante security team in place. In the last dispensation, the community witnessed many reported cases of stealing, kidnapping, burglary, armed robberies and attacks carried out by hoodlums around the community. This shows that the security on the ground then was not active and it became necessary for us as the new leadership to make the required change.
“The former security team did not live up to expectations and there are fears they might not be loyal to the new leadership, hence the need to change and overhaul the security apparatus of the community. With this development, there is a new dawn for the Awada community in terms of security as the people can now sleep with their two eyes closed.”
The change in community leadership led to a overhaul of the security architecture, with a new security outfit under the Nigeria Police Community Policing taking over.
The new security team, led by Commander Jude Akachukwu, has assured the community of adequate security and warned criminal elements to desist from their activities.
The community had previously experienced security concerns, including stealing, kidnapping, burglary, and armed robberies, prompting the need for a new security apparatus.
The new leadership has vowed to fortify security and ensure the community’s peace and safety. An investigation into the missing guns is expected to commence soon.
