Should Government Declare A State Of Emergency On Cultism?
As waves of cult-related killings continue to ravage the city, residents of Port Harcourt have appealed to the state government to declare a state of emergency on cultism in the state.
At least 25 persons were killed in recent days over a supremacy battle between Islanders and De Bam cult groups.
The police said 10 persons have been arrested in connection with the killings in Rumuolumeni where at least 13 persons were killed.
However, the police did not comment on the killings at Garrison, Emohua and Khana where 14 persons were killed.
Some residents who spoke to theportcitynews said that the killings by rival cultists have become too frequent, adding that the state government should declare a state of emergency on cultism.
A resident simply identified as Jude said: “The issue of cultism in the state is not new. Right now, from primary school, children are initiated into these groups and they grow with it. The state government has not done anything in terms of awareness to educate the male child especially, about the menace of cultism. It is bad”
Mrs Boma Idam said that her son was killed in 2016 during one of their supremacy battles. According to her: “I lost a son during one of their senseless battles. I can tell you that it is not easy for the families of those boys being killed. I even heard that a family of 5 was killed in Ogoni.
“The government should declare a state of emergency on cultism. They can employ the services of churches, schools, billboards, radio jingles to educate the youths. It is a terrible situation and it breaks my heart each time.
Another resident who did not want his name mentioned said that declaring a state of emergency on cultism in the state is a good thing, stressing that “the government should not just stop at that but add special deradicalization programs that will ensure that they do not go back to it again.
“But come to think of it, some of them in government are grand patrons of these cultists. The ones killing themselves are ordinary foot soldiers. Cultism is entrenched in government in the state but they can equally make a difference”
