Curbing Cultism Monster (1)

Barely three weeks ago, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, gave a marching order to traditional rulers in the State to rid their domains and their sphere of influence of cultism or risk de-recognition or sack by the State Government. Recall that this is not the first time the State Governor had issued similar stern warming as a way to unequivocally express his hate and disapproval of cultism and the perpetrators. In fact, the State Chief Executive did not mince words. I also recall that at least on two occasions, Governor Wike, had in a broadcast to the State denounced the cult monster and declared some people suspected to be either cultists and or their sponsor (s) wanted.
There was a time in Rivers State when some communities and local government areas were under the siege of the cultists’. Those areas were tagged “no go area” for residents and visitors. Most of the cult infested communities were deserted. Socio-economic, educational and agricultural activities were grounded. People fled for their dear lives as incessant rival cult strikes left tales of woes and pain. The expended bullet was not discriminatory as it hits both foes and friends, even the innocent, unsuspecting residents of the Communities. Without whipping up the sad memories of the ugly past, which borrowing the words of Sans Buckler, “was a bucket of ashes”, most communities in Andoni, Emohua, Okrika Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odual, Asari Toru, etc were hot bed of cultism.
Even parts of Port Harcourt, the cosmopolitan seat of power of Rivers State, which doubles as headquarters of the Port Harcourt Local Government Area, was not left out in the cultists’ battle of supremacy.despite the dense presence of security operatives: the Police (of various code names and operations), the Army, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as the Navy. It was that challenging that the notion for a Neighbourhood Watch was conceived and birthed, passed through the legislative processes of law making in the Rivers State House of Assembly and was passed into law, assented to, by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike. However, the hullabaloo, criticism, and apprehension that the formation of the Watch attracted from opposition in the State stifled the operation of the body. The clamour for State Police, that is, each state to have their police structure-recruited and funded by the State, also met a brick wall because of the intricacies and unnecessary bureaucracy in amendment of our grand norm-the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which places the issue of State Police in the Exclusive List.
In a multi-pronged approach to cultism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, the South West Geo-Political Zone midwifed a security outfit for the region, giving rise to the call for regional security outfit. That never worked out after all. The failure of all those proposals informed, in my considered view, the Local Vigilante whose initial zeal to rid the communities of crime and criminalities dwindled, because it was sabotaged by the infiltration of “bad eggs”. Local vigilantes became part of the daunting challenges of crime and criminalities, as some of the volunteers resorted to self help, extra judicial murders,  stealing or robbery, intimidation, abuse and outright and brazen usurpation of the functions of the legally established security operatives. Some of the leaders assumed the status of lord and demi-god even as they posed great threat to the traditional institutions.
In all these odds, Governor Wike remained undaunted. He announced bounty over suspected dreaded cultists, fostered the establishment of several police operational units in the State, (including  Operation Sting) in conjunction with the Rivers State Police Command, funded, equipped and mobilised the teams with  security gadgets and operational vehicles. The success of “Operation Sting” remains legendary and historic. This no mean feat of Chief Wike saw the decline of cultism, kidnapping for ransom, high way robbery, etc. in Rivers State.Unfortunately, the ugly trend that had abated is fomenting in many rural communities, and the Diobu area of Port Harcourt. The rate at which community or public peace is incessantly threatened by social deviants is alarming. In fact, cultism has become a thorn in the flesh of all, a monster that no one can tame. No day passes without a report of rival cult clashes in communities in the state. Most times such conflict does not end without innocent members of community caught up in the cross fire and being situational victims of cultists’ battle of supremacy. Houses and other property, are more often than not, destroyed, where there is no timely security operatives intervention.
That is why the recent marching order to monarchs in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike, to rid their domains of cultism and crime, could not have come at a better time. The State Governor had threatened to dethrone any traditional rulers who lacked the capacity to contain cultism and crime in their sphere of influence or area of jurisdiction. According to Chief Wike to the traditional rulers: The first responsibility is the maintenance of peace and security. Peace is priceless. Safety is paramount. Investors or tourists will only come to places considered safe and secure. Progress can only take place in a stable environment. The governor’s charge is welcome, especially when gleaned from past events how some traditional rulers recognise, sponsor and even create privileged cult groups to protect their interest in their domain. But my concern is, for the cult groups free and neutral traditional rulers. Do they really have the capacity to contain the violent and armed cultists, those suspected to be enjoying public officers’ and multi-national companies’ patronage. No doubt, some traditional rulers are administering their subjects outside their domain, because of the threats of cultists and their sponsors where there is an irreconcilable conflict of interest.
It is not saying a new thing that some traditional rulers and chiefs have lost their lives because they refused to give in to the selfish and inordinate whim and caprices of the cultists and or their sponsor.Cultism in recent times is so violent that no traditional rulers can clip the wings of cultists without the presence of security operatives in the community. It takes a synergy between traditional rulers and security operatives, not including the regular police, to be able to check the activities of cultists in communities…
To be continued.

By; Igbiki Benibo