The Executive Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, has signed a new bylaw officially banning cultism across the local government.
The move comes one month after suspected cultists attacked a burial ceremony in Ogidi community, the council headquarters, killing four people. The deceased, an 18-year-old boy being buried that day, was reportedly a member of a rival cult group, and his burial allegedly triggered a reprisal attack.
Speaking during the brief signing ceremony, Hon. Nkwoka said the incident deeply shook the entire local government, prompting urgent consultations with community leaders and security stakeholders to prevent future occurrences.
“In Anambra, cultism has become a major challenge, and it has spread to our local government,” he said. “Last month’s shootings claimed innocent lives and led to a security meeting I convened with all traditional rulers, presidents-general, youth leaders, and other stakeholders. Together, we agreed to establish this bylaw to checkmate cultism in our area.”
The council chairman explained that a special body will be set up to work with the police and other security agencies to enforce the law. He expressed optimism that the legislation will help restore peace and safety in Idemili North.
“With this law, cult-related killings will reduce, and both indigenes and residents will live happier and freer. From today, perpetrators will go into hiding,” Nkwoka said. “I may not be the Mayor forever, but the little time I have will be maximized for the good of our people.”
He noted that the new bylaw aligns with the Anambra Homeland Security Law, signed earlier in February by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and is designed to strengthen local peace and security frameworks.
Hon. Nkwoka also encouraged youths to report any breach of the new law to the authorities, assuring them that the council has adequate security measures to respond swiftly to violations.
