2019: Emohua council Chairman takes steps to curtail cultism
Violence
By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council of Rivers State, Mr Tom Aliezi, says the council is taking steps to curb cultism in the area, especially as the 2019 general elections draw near.
Aliezi stated this in Port Harcourt on Wednesday after a meeting with the leadership of some youth groups in the area.
He said that the council was worried about the incessant cult activities in the area and was ready to take every legal step to stamp out the menace.
He called on youths in the area to avoid being used by some people to cause violence, no matter how highly placed such persons were.
“We are propelled more to evolve ways of tackling cultism because of the nearness of the elections; our youth must learn their lessons.
“We are approaching a time when dubious and over ambitious persons try to use the youths to foment troubles for selfish reasons,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some communities in the council area such as Egbeda, Obelle, Ibaa, Emohua, Ndelle have been grappling with cult-related violence for some time now.
NAN investigation shows that cult clashes have been between two rival gangs and chieftaincy tussle and land disputes are the remote causes.
The council chairman also said he was already consulting with youth groups and community development committees on how to tackle the menace.
Aliezi further stated that although the council was disposed to use pacifying means in solving the problem, it was ready to invoke the powers of the law.
Meanwhile, some communities in the area had taken to the invocation of traditional powers to stop violence and other crime. (NAN)
AZU/COO/EMO
============
Edited by Cecilia OdeyEjike Obeta