The Enugu Ukwu community in the Njikoka Local Government Area
of Anambra State went agog with jubilation on Saturday when five persons
described as notorious criminals renounced their old ways.
The suspects were led to renounce their criminal ways by
their leader, Nnadozie Nnenwa, also known as ‘10 kobo.’
The renunciation came during a two-day drug awareness
campaign organised by the Enugwu Ukwu Community Development Union, headed by
the President-General, Mr. Bonny Nkwuaku.
The programme featured lectures on the danger of illicit drug
consumption, cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape and prostitution.
As the lectures were going on, the former wanted persons
marched to the arena and begged the community for forgiveness, pledging not to
return to their old ways.
They implored the community to help them start something
meaningful, saying their major reason for indulging in crime was joblessness.
The President-General of the community, Bonny Nkwuaku, said,
“Negotiation, dialogue and sound advice, rather than arrest and imprisonment
can keep youths off vices.
“I am particularly happy that this is happening under my
watch as president general. We walked around the community and sensitized the
people of the need to shun cultism, robbery, drug, prostitution and others.
“These suspected armed robbers who have been on police wanted
list will receive amnesty today as they have vowed they will not engage in
crime again and if they fail, we will now bring to bear the full weight of the
law.”
He said his executive had met and dialogued with prominent
personalities in the community on the possible ways of rehabilitating the
repented suspects.
The Chairman of Enugwu Ukwu Youth Forum, Mr. Oddy Akubuike,
told Southern City News, “We have mapped out ways of absorbing the youths that
have renounced their crime.
“We have bought WAEC forms for the ones that want to go to
school; barbing equipment, and other items which we will use to empower them.
“We have spoken with various prominent persons in the
community and we are going to integrate them into society through skills
acquisition and empowerment.”
The DPO of Enugwu Ukwu police division, Mr. Dan Uke, who was
at the event, said the ex-suspects had been terrorising the area for a long
time.
“When the PG brought ‘10 Kobo’ to my office early this
morning (Saturday), I was surprised that he accepted to come, because we have
been looking for him. When I saw the look of remorse on his face, I told him I
would not arrest him for accepting to come by himself, but I asked him to write
an undertaking that he would not engage in crime again,” he said.
The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Ekpe, who was
represented by the traditional Prime Minister, Chief Clement Nwafor, expressed
happiness over the development.
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