Leaders of cult groups in Bayelsa State have threatened to attack the state Commissioner of Police Mr. Chris Olakpe, if he refuses to halt continuing arrest of their members.
Following the incessant killings in parts of the state in recent times by suspected cultists, Olakpe decided to launch a massive attack on the perpetrators of violent crimes in the state.
Over 30 suspected cultists had been arrested so far by the police.
Olakpe was also said to have decided to visit “the full weight of the new law” on the detainees who were suspected to have carried out the cult-related killings in the state.
Confirming the threats to our correspondent in Yenagoa on Thursday, Olakpe said, “I was threatened some few days ago by certain faceless individuals suspected to be kingpins of cultists in the state who said some of their staunch members were being held.
“They threatened that if I don’t release the cultists, they would launch attacks on me and senior police officers, but I dared them to go ahead with their empty threats and be ready to face the damning consequences.”
He urged his men not to be intimidated by whatever threats from the cultists, ordering them to arrest criminals in the state.
The CP said, “We have made several arrests of cultists and more so the enabling law to prosecute them had just been signed by the governor and we would wage war headlong against them in Bayelsa State.”
Governor Seriake Dickson on Wednesday signed into law the Secret Cult Societies and Similar Activities Prohibition Bill 2012 criminalising membership of secret organisation and prescribing 10-year jail term for convicted offenders with no option of fine.
SOURCE:www.punchng.com
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