A Pentecostal church in Onitsha, Anambra State, Grace of God Mission International, on Monday, protested against the increasing rate of ritual killings, cultism and drug abuse in the state.

Members of the church moved round major streets in the commercial city, occasionally stopping at popular junctions for prayers and sprinkling of oil.

There has been an upsurge in the number of ritual killings and drug abuse in the community, most of which involved the youth.

The General Superintendent and Presiding Bishop of the church, Dr Paul Nwachukwu, who led the protest, said, “We are doing this to pray against the spate of ritual killings in the society. Today, the high level of involvement in cultism by our young people and the rate at which they consume hard drugs are alarming.

“Grace of God youths held a rally all over the streets of Onitsha, declaring loud and clear that Yahoo Plus, Mkpulummili (hard drugs) and every kind of cultism shall end in Onitsha.

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“We prayed against the spirit of wickedness and lawlessness and that the youth would live a life that will bring glory to Christ, honour their parents and be a blessing to society.”

The group moved round the Upper Iweka Road, Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, and other highways in the city.