No hiding place for cultists — IGP

Mr. Solomon Arase

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, Saturday said that the Nigeria Police would continue to crack down on cultism and other forms of criminality in different states of the country in order to ensure and maintain peace in the Nigerian society.

It will be recalled that‎ the police had in May arrested and arraigned 56 suspects, including 11 persons said to be highly placed, for their alleged involvement in cult-related killings in Edo State, following the deployment of a special crack squad by the IGP.

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However, Arase, who spoke shortly after a‎ ceremony organised in his honour by the Ora-ekpen Development Association, Sabongida Ora, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, explained that though no society could be totally rid of crime, the results from the crack squad had shown that Nigerian state could be made tolerable.

He also noted that the force would continue to dismantle police roadblocks, which he insisted have been “very ineffective,”‎ adding that plans were “on course” for the implementation of police reforms, including human rights issues and intelligence policing.

‎He said, “I have dealt with it in Edo State; I have dealt with it in Kogi State; I have dealt with it in Ekiti State and I will continue to deal with them (cultists) wherever they rear their heads. But let me just say this: there is no society that is crime-free. But you can make it tolerable; that is exactly what we intend to do.

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“The roadblock was not a panacea or crime prevention strategy.‎ It is an avenue that creates social friction between us and the members of the public.‎”

On the conferment of the traditional title of Ojeagbase of Ora Kingdom, along with his wife, Agharese, ‎Arase said that he would continue to portray the values honesty, discipline and hardwork which he had learned from his community.

The President of the association, Professor Sam Ahonkhai, explained that the reception was organised to appreciate the IGP, whom he described as an illustrious son of the community.

He also said that Arase appointment had showed that individuals could aspire and work hard to achieve their goals in the interest of the country.

Earlier, the Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, commended the IGP for improving the performance of the security agency since he assumed office as the police chief in May.

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Oshiomhole, while urging Nigerians to contribute their support for the police, said that the people of the state ‎would also celebrate him as their own.