Police vow to eradicate cultism in Enugu

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mohammad Danmallam, has assured residents of the state of his command’s resolve to eradicate cultism and other related activities in the state.

Danmallam gave the assurance while inaugurating the up-graded facilities at the Police Anti-Cultism Squad Office in Enugu on Wednesday.

He decried the wave of the menace in primary and post-primary schools in the state, saying the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, had given the command necessary support.

“We will use effective community policing programme and partnership with our critical stakeholders to ensure that the monster is totally eradicated.

“We know that crime of cultism has taken a higher dimension; and the police as well had upped its game to tackle it squarely without fear or favour.

“We thank God for the able leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim K. Idris, who had given us all support, both man-power and logistics, to effectively confront the societal monster,’’ he said.

The commissioner, however, noted that state remained one of the most peaceful in the country, adding that the feat had been made possible by the effective collaboration with the people.

“You people, our stakeholders, have been critical and vital to this success so far.

“I am assuring you that the state will continue to remain peaceful and we will build on the existing success”, he said.

Earlier, the Commander of the state’s Police Anti-Cultism Squad, ASP Chidobe Ekeleme, said that within one year of the establishment of the squad, it had brought peace and quiet to the state by quelling cult activities.

Ekeleme said the squad had fished out cult members from their various hide-outs in the state.

“By the active and pragmatic encouragement of the commissioner, we have recorded this moderate success”, he said.

Ekeleme said that the squad was working hard to reduce its response time to calls on cultism and other related activities to between eight and 15 minutes in Enugu metropolis and its outskirts.

He, however, called for more personnel, vehicles as well arms and other equipment, adding that the current cell being used should also be expanded.

It was reported that the occasion featured the inauguration of a block of six rooms complemented with a fence as well as a bore-hole in the squad’s office.