Ogun Governor, Abiodun Declares Cultism Act of Terrorism

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The executive Governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun has declared the social menace as an act of terrorism.

Dapo said that his administration would henceforth deal with suspected cultists as terrorists.

During a stakeholders’ security meeting held on Friday, May 5, at the Akarigbo’s Palace, Sagamu, the governor made the declaration that his government has had enough of cult disputes within the state and was ready to deal with the matter once and for all.

The state governor said that he would establish a joint intervention squad of the military, police, the Department of State Security, Civil Defence and local Vigilantes, to deal with cultism and other related crimes, especially in Sagamu and other parts of the state.

Recently there have been frequent cult activities in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ikenne, and Odogbolu, in the cases of inter-cultist rivalry that has resulted in clashes and the killing of innocent people.

“I am declaring cult members, cult activities here as an act of terrorism, I am taking these as a test of this administration’s will. I have sounded a note of warning at times past, I am resounding a fresh note of warning to all cult members, to their parents, to their landlords, to their sponsors.” The governor stated

“From today, we are considering cult members and other criminals as saboteurs to the economy of not just this local government, this town, but this state. We will consider them as terrorists, I will deal with them as such.

“I have instructed our law enforcement agencies to smoke these people out, I have told the Commissioner of Police that he has no other job until every single member of this cult is found out.

“I am still trying to figure out what is the basis, motive and reason behind these cultist activities in Ogun State, particularly, in Sagamu and Remoland.

“We will collaborate with our Royal Majesties and Royal Highnesses in our resolve to bring long-lasting peace to this local government,” Abiodun added.