Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, AIG Bode Adegoke, has lauded efforts of the Lagos State chapter of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV on its campaign against cultism which he described as a major security concern.
Speaking when members of the advocacy group paid him a courtesy visit in his office, the AIG, disclosed that cultism was the second crime in Nigeria that consumed life, adding that membership cuts across all sectors of the society , with the involvement of artisans and traders.
Describing POCACOV’s task as a herculean and sacrificial service to the country, he said it was also a complementary service to the Police.
According to the AIG, “ Cultism is the second crime that consumes life more in Nigeria. The first is banditry. A lot of people are not aware that cultism has no gain. From the South East to South -South, South West and South –South, it is the same story.
“If it is for protection , I don’t think they have protection. If it is because of power, I don’t think they have e power . I think people join cultism because they see it as the in-thing. Unfortunately, rather than gain, they lose.
“If they are doing it without killing anybody, it won’t bother one. But the way they kill is worrisome. They usually count scores in killing and that is the punishment they give to themselves.
“So, I must commend you for this initiative you have taken. I am more impressed because nobody pays you”. In his remarks the Chairnan Pocacov Henry bassey recounts the achievements of the group like Stakeholders awareness program in Ikorodu. Also awareness campaigns in several school in Lagos.
Earlier in his remark, Vice Chairman, POCACOV , Barr. Ahmed Abass, explained that the advocacy group was created as a community based initiative , owing to the increasing rate of youths and minors involvement in cultism and its effect in the society.
He informed that the Lagos State chapter was launched in April 2021 and therefore sought partnership with the zonal command in order for the group to deliver its mandate.
Describing the dimension cultism had assumed as worrisome, Abass explained that part of the group’s mandate was to sensitize members of the public on the dangers of belonging to cult groups and to reawaken the security consciousness of members of the public.
Other areas of focus, according to him, “ is to partner with relevant stakeholders on how to address the menace”.
