Why it’s difficult for Army, other security agencies to end cult killings in Rivers – GOC

The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, on Saturday revealed why cult-related killings in some communities in Rivers State have continued without being halted by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the country.

He said the reason was because communities going through a high rate of cult-related killings kept refusing to give information to the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies.

According to him, people living in these communities intentionally hoard vital information that would assist in the arrest of cultists and other criminals within their midst.

Sarham, who is also the Land Component Commander, Operation Delta Safe, stated this when he spoke on Saturday at a summit on anti-cultism organised by a Port Harcourt-based radio station, Today FM.

He said for the issue of cultism in the state to be addressed that a collective effort from stakeholders, including community members was needed.

“People, especially those in the communities are afraid to give vital information to the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies. Such information is necessary and can lead to the arrest of cultists within their midst.

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“All of us collectively have the responsibility of ensuring security in our country. When the army comes to a community to save a bad situation, it is the same community people that will say that the Army has come to raid their community,” he said.

The GOC, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, added that the Nigerian Army was empowered by law to assist the police or any other security agency.

Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Port Harcourt chapter, Dr Austen Sado, who also spoke at the event, lamented the rate at which cult activities continue to increase in Rivers State and Nigeria in general.

He blamed the menace on some politicians, who he said use them to win elections, adding that most cult groups are now the youth wings of some political parties.

 

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