Ondo Police Declare War on Cultism

James Sowole in Akure

Determined to tackle cult-related crises which have caused the death of about 10 persons recently, the police in Ondo thursday declared a total war on cultism in the state particularly in Akure, the state capital.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, said in Akure that the command has begun a 24-hour surveillance in some areas identified as black spots to rid the state of criminals and criminal activities.

Harrison while speaking during a meeting with senior police officers, said the meeting became imperative because of the recent upsurge in criminal activities in the state in the last two weeks.

She said over 30 suspects were arrested over the various cultist clash and killing in the state capital saying the suspects would be arraigned before the court soon.

The police commissioner explained that the detectives from the police command are on the trail of some members of the cult group who ran away to escape arrest.

She commended members of the public for providing relevant and useful information to the detectives in the state which led to the arrest of most of the suspected cultists.

The police boss added that the command would carry out massive raids on abandoned buildings and other criminal hideouts in the capital city to ensure that criminals are flushed out of the state.

Meanwhile, about 20 suspected cultists have been charged before the court for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy, while the Magistrate, Victoria Bob-Manuel, has ordered the remand of the suspects pending the conclusion of the police investigation.