A group, Anambra Youth Vanguard, has denounced the wave of murders, kidnappings and cultism in different Anambra communities.

It also condemned the killing of the Obosi community general president, Mr. Ike Okolo, and nine others by suspected cultists on 2 and 3 January.

While calling for a review by the state anti-kidnapping squad and other security agencies, in a statement by its president, Dr. Nnamdi Onaya, on Friday, he lamented that more than 90 people were kidnapped in Anambra between October and December 2022.

Onaya, a lawyer, lamented that some of the kidnappings resulted in the total murder of the victims, while others who were lucky paid large amounts of money as ransoms.

He said: “The state has been under siege by criminal elements and it seems that the security agents cannot cope with these criminals. According to the investigation we carried out in the state, all of Anambra Sur and Anambra Central could have been taken over by criminal elements. We strongly condemn the brutal murder of Obosi PG and nine others on January 2-3, 2023.”

He further explained that criminal gangs operated in Umeoji, Idemili North Local Government Area; Oba-Mili John in Ojoto, Nkpor Old Road, Nnobi-Oraukwu, Ezinfinite-Uga, Oraukwu-Ekwulobia, Oraukwu-Uga and Obosi.

Onaya added: “The other criminal gangs are operating in other parts of the state, security agents in the state are not doing enough as their counterparts in neighboring states, who have made progress in the fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities. .

“The police headquarters in Ihiala local government area, just a few days ago, was razed by criminals without a proper response from security officers.

“Anambra State Police Commissioner Echeng Echeng should reinvigorate the fight against criminals in the state, especially kidnappers, and shift from a defensive method of fighting crime to an offensive strategy.”

When contacted for reactions, state police spokesman DSP Tochukwu Ikenga declined to comment because he did not respond to calls and messages sent to him at that address.