The Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command, has warned against violation of the Cultism Proscription Order of the State Government.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, gave the warning in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, CSP Nnudam Fredrick, and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on March 16, proscribed 51 cult groups and societies secretly operating in the state.
Edgal said that the police in the state would reinvigorate the fight against cultism and other violent behaviour to ensure safety and security in the state.
He said that the fight would be intensified against members of the cult groups and their sponsors.
He noted that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command had reinvigorates fight against cultism and other violent behaviours to ensure continued safety and security in Akwa Ibom State and its environs.
He said that the goverment did that following the recent proscription of Cultism and Other Violent Behaviour under the Cultism and other Violent Behaviour (Prohibition) Order, 2020.
“The Command reassures members of the public that the fight against cultism and other violent crimes will be intensified against members and sponsors of cult groups and societies existing within and outside tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools,” he said.
The commissioner directed all Area Commanders, DPOs and Tactical Teams to intensify the fight against cultism and other violent behaviour.
He also directed the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) personnel to infiltrate all cult groups with a view to identifying their members and sponsors for arrest and prosecution.
Edgal warned parents to caution their children to desist from cultism and other violent activities.
He urged them to publicly denounce cultism in their own interest as violators of the extant Law would face the full wrath of the law.
NAN reports that Akwa Ibom government recently proscribed 51 cult groups and societies in primary and secondary schools across the state as a result of the reecent violence in institutions of learning in parts of the state capital.
The proscription order, titled ‘Cultism and Other Violent Behaviour (Prohibition) Order’ and signed by Gov. Udom Emmanuel, replaced ‘The Cultism and Other Violent Behaviour (Prohibition) Order of 2018’.