Stakeholders in Afikpo North local government area (LGA) of Ebonyi state have condemned in strong terms incessant cult activities being witnessed across various communities that make up the council.
The condemnation was made in a communique issued at the end of a security meeting on Saturday, June 22, this year, which had in attendance stakeholders in the local government, including council officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, town union presidents and youth leaders.
In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of Afikpo North LGA, Mr Sunday Nkama, said the stakeholders warned that “the long arm of the law will catch up with culprits if they failed to desist from involvement in secret cult activities.”
The communique, which was jointly endorsed by Chairman of Afikpo North LGA, Hon. Ogbonnia Oko Enyim, chairman of Communique Drafting Committee and former coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre, Barr. Fred Oko Eze, gave red signal to youths, warning them to desist from cult activities and other nefarious acts, as “it would no longer be business as usual.”
The communique also gave marching orders to the local vigilante groups in the local government to intensify their operations by monitoring drinking and entertainment spots as well as other flash points for cult activities.
The statement reads in part: “The local government council has initiated the formation of an advisory committee to conduct an aggressive and counselling programme for youths and other bodies in the various communities and wards in Afikpo North LGA. The sensitization exercise would also involve the National Orientation Agency, security agents, traditional rulers and ward councilors.
“Members of the Advisory Committee include: the chairman; Barr.Fred Oko Eze, secretary; Sunday Nkama, members; Chief Agu Okpani, Chief Donatus Aja and Hon Uche Ibiam, Hon Inya Eluu.”
