Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has reportedly ordered the newly inaugurated Anti- Cult Task Force to shoot at sight cult members, as part of measures to stem their activities as well as improve security situation in the State.
Mr. Okorocha who stated this yesterday at a meeting with the people of Ohaji Egbema local government area at the Government House, Owerri, gave the assurance that the task force which comprises the Army, Police, State Security Service, SSS and the Imo Security Network, would be deployed to troubled areas to search for and move into cultists’ dens for necessary action.
The governor also instructed the immediate deployment of 18 men of Imo Security Network to Ohaji Egbema — a troubled area plagued with cult activities .
Mr. Okorocha also approved the release of Hilux vans for the police, 40 motorcycles for the local vigilance groups, as well as other logistics to ensure the smooth operation of the task force.
He charged the youth to beware of evil men who would incite and use them for criminal activities, and enjoined parents to warn their children against cultism and other vices.
The governor also urged the communities to cooperate with the task force, saying that they should divulge all necessary information to the police for optimal operation.
Earlier, the President- General of Obiakpu community in Ohaji Egbema local government area, Ogwumaru Joseph, who spoke on behalf of his people, stated that the problem in their area arose from a cult clash between two rival groups called ‘Day-Gbam’ and ‘Day- Well’, which led to sporadic shootings and selective killings by the cultists.