The Bayelsa Police Command has initiated a renewed crackdown on cult groups and their sponsors in an effort to sustain peace and prevent killings and reprisal attacks across the state. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance security and maintain order. The police have urged the public to avoid engaging in reprisal attacks, harbouring suspects, and spreading unverified information that could exacerbate tensions.
Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, has directed divisional police officers and tactical commanders to increase patrols in vulnerable areas and strengthen intelligence gathering. The goal is to act promptly on credible information concerning planned clashes, initiation ceremonies, and recruitment activities. This proactive approach aims to prevent cult-related violence and ensure public safety.
The directive emphasizes closer engagement with community leaders and other stakeholders to enable the police to detect emerging tensions before they escalate into violence. By fostering collaboration with local communities, the police seek to enhance their effectiveness in addressing cult-related issues. The command has warned cult groups contemplating attacks or reprisals that the police will pursue not only those who carry out such acts but also individuals who finance, organise, or facilitate them.
The Bayelsa Police Command has underscored that there will be no exceptions in the ongoing crackdown, stressing that the law will be applied without regard to an individual's status, influence, or connections. Anyone reasonably suspected of organising, financing, facilitating, or participating in cult-related crimes will be investigated. Suspects against whom sufficient evidence is established will be prosecuted before the appropriate court.
The police have drawn attention to the Bayelsa State Secret Cults/Societies and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2012, as amended in 2018. This law prohibits membership and sponsorship of secret cults and prescribes criminal penalties upon conviction. Residents are warned against taking the law into their own hands following any cult-related attack and are encouraged to report suspicious activities or imminent threats to the nearest police station.
The command has urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards and warn them against being lured into cult groups. By engaging with the community, the police aim to prevent the recruitment of new members into cult groups. Residents, community leaders, and other stakeholders are encouraged to provide timely intelligence on planned attacks, recruitment drives, initiation ceremonies, and other suspicious activities.
The Bayelsa Police Command has provided contact numbers for reporting suspicious activities or imminent threats: 07034578208 or 09167322691. The message from the Command is clear: report threats before they become bloodshed and do not wait for violence to erupt before speaking up. This initiative underscores the police commitment to maintaining peace and security in Bayelsa State.
Key points
- The Bayelsa Police Command has launched a renewed crackdown on cult groups and their sponsors to prevent killings and reprisal attacks.
