An Exegetico-hermeneutical discourse of Romans 1: 29-32 in relation to cult killings and emerging insecurities in Awka metropolis

Abstract

The study investigated cult killings in the recent times and emerging insecurities in Awka. The text of the study, Romans 1: 29-32 captures the festering insecurities with associated cult killings. These issues contribute to the challenges of security in Anambra. Though these are not peculiar to Awka, however, the increasing cult killings have further caused security quandary in the state. The incessant killings have impeded the progress of the city and negatively impacted on Anambra people. The factors and causes of these killings and related crimes were identifies through primary and secondary source of data collection. The exegetical cum hermeneutical tools of analyses also did help in interpreting the text as its characteristics descriptions of ungodly men that fitting towards describing the current geometric rise of cult killings in Awka. The findings shows that struggle over illegal revenue collections, inter-cult leadership tussle, scrambling for more members and territory, land ownership and allocation of lands in now developing/expensive landmarks and again need to avenge death of members especially those killed by the opposition groups are some of the key causes of cult killing and thus leading to further insecurities in Awka metropolis. The researcher recommends that the government first of all should re-initiate campaigns and sufficient actions in the direction of permanently putting an end to the menace of cult killings. The local community leaders in Awka and youth leaders have crucial roles also to play in resolving this infamous insecurity challenges.