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By Christopher Oji
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has declared a total war on cultism, saying that is a menace that must be eradicated among youths as it poses a significant threat to the society and the country at large.
The IGP emphasised the urgent need to take action against the challenges of drugs and cultism, stating that the situation has become worrisome. He urged parents, communities, religious organisations, and schools to take a drastic action against cultism and drugs which, he said, were destroying the future leaders in our country. He promised that anyone who takes the bold steps to renounce cultism would be pardoned and rehabilitated into the society without any form of punishment.
Egbetokun, who made the statement at the sensitisation programme organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), at the weekend, at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, said it was worrisome that cultism, which was then confined in the tertiary institutions, has crept into primary, secondary schools and artisan world, adding that something drastic should be done to stop the trend of the vices of cultism and drugs which are gradually killing our future generation.
The IGP, who was represented by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, at the event, aimed at educating youths on the dangers of cultism and substance abuse, tagged ‘Teenagers Stay Informed: Know the Dangers of Cultism and Drugs.’ noted that cultism is no longer confined to university campuses.
“Another thing spreading like wildfire is the issue of drugs; cultism and drugs are interwoven. The after effect is that most of these youths will start having medical problems like mental illness, and they become serious problems to the community and society at large. Everyday, cultists leave traces of tears and sorrow in our communities.
“What are they fighting for, supremacy and control of territories. They waste their lives and cause pain for their parents. There is no gain in the useless group.
“We need to fight this menace in our society, and our parents need to pay special attention to our children, encouraging them to read and stay away from peer pressure. We need to take these youths away from the devious crimes that are affecting the socio-economics of this country.
The youths are our hope for tomorrow, and we must concentrate on them and direct them towards good ventures.”
CP Fayoade urged youths and parents to join hands to bring the menace of cultism and drugs to a standstill.
National Coordinator, POCACOV, a crime-preventive unit, CSP Olabisi Okuwobi, in her opening address, noted that the fight against cultism and drugs must not be limited to the police. She added that law enforcement officers cannot combat crime alone, which is why IGP Kayode Egbetokun deemed it fit to strengthen POCACOV.
“It is imperative to partner with what the police are doing through community policing. POCACOV is like community policing because we campaign and advocate against cult activities and their consequences. We are also holding this programme to sensitise children about the need not to join a cult, not to abuse drugs, and to avoid criminal activities because there are consequences.”
She commended the efforts of the IGP and other senior police officers in getting rid of the menace of cultism and drug use. CSP Okuwobi also acknowledged the efforts of numerous sponsors working with POCACOV and the police as a whole to rid society of cultism and drug abuse. She assured any cultist who wants to renounce the group to come out boldly, as he would not be punished, but would be helped to live a good life, the same thing with drugs.
“Come out and you will not be punished; but if you don’t renounce and you are arrested, you will face the consequences. POCACOV does not arrest, but we can only help victims”.
Speaking also at the event, an ex-cultist, Mr. Daniel Osita Collins, who once belonged to one of the deadliest cult groups on campus before he renounced his membership, urged youths to avoid anyone trying to lure them into illicit groups. While narrating his experience as an ex-cultist, he urged the students not to join any cult group because it only leads to destruction. He further urged the government to do more to ensure that children live in a safe environment.
