Rights Activist Sends Message To Gov Oborevwori Over Cult Killings In Delta, Makes Recommendations

By Daniel Dafe

Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace,” has lamented rising cult killings in Delta State, just as he made several recommendations for lasting solutions to the negative trend in the oil-rich state.

This was contained in an open letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Tuesday.

The letter reads in part: “I wish to bring to the notice of the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, the issue of cultism that has led to the deaths of young people in Delta State. As an activist and a concerned citizen of Nigeria, particularly as an indigene and resident of the state, it is disheartening to realize that cultism and other forms of vice have eaten deep into the state and continue to threaten the safety of lives and property.

“When there are depressive stories of cultism, people now guess correctly that Delta State is the setting, and this has continued to deface the image of the state outside, which also highlights negligence and failures of the Delta State Government in youth engagement, empowerment schemes, and high unemployment ratios. I cannot start to recount all the cult clashes to foreground my discomfort because the stories are endless. People now see our dear state as the theatre of onslaught.”

He continued: “Just a few weeks ago, an incident allegedly started in the Ugbuwangue area of Warri South Local Government over control of a female lover, resulting in one dèàth. The incident has since led to the demise of four youths in the area. Less than a week later, it metamorphosed into different areas, with a gory scene unfolding at Ughelli North, where an attack resulted in the dèàth of over four youths. Again, in Aladja community in Udu Local Government Area, where an identified cultist was kíłled last year, a reprisal attack occurred fewer than two days ago. Even the state capital and other regions in Delta North are still facing the same challenges of cultism.

“These attacks, as I indicated earlier, are just a morsel of the sour meal of insecurity and panic that we have been forced to consume for years. Over the years, there have been reprisal attacks that confirm the vindictive nature of cultism. The reoccurrence of these clashes raises many unanswered questions. These sad episodes have become a kíłljoy for the rest of us who are still alive.”

According to him, “the handling of these issues by community leaders in Delta State is saddening, and the government’s silence is worrisome, especially with evidence suggesting suspects are government appointees, implying human lives are not valued.”

Adding: “Despite numerous community leadership structures, the issue persists due to their levity and inhumane attitude, which comforts perpetrators of cultism. Most of these leaders have deliberately decided not to be responsive to this social challenge, and have also refused to provide these cultists for arrest. Everyone is aware that these cultists live in the communities, and that the leaders of the communities know the nooks and crannies of the community.

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“Despite the state’s considerable number of police divisions and checkpoints, as well as a state security outfit, the desired outcomes have not been achieved. While Operation Delta Sweep’s intervention in the Ughelli area is commendable, a more strategic security presence is needed in affected communities. This would facilitate swift interception of perpetrators following an operation, as the ability of cultists to effortlessly retreat to their hideouts after committing a series of crimes is a stark reality that instills fear in numerous communities.”

He said that it was now necessary for a state of emergency to be declared by security forces, “as the extent to which cult groups are in illegal possession of àrms and flaunt them with all boldness and impunity is concerning,” saying that “these arms must be recovered.”

Furthermore, he said: “These issues are worrying and should not be happening. If community leaders do not become responsive and sensitive to these issues, they will continue to worsen. We know that the police and the army are ready to discharge their duties, but they need to be equipped and the right strategies need to be deployed for them to do so.”

“However, the Delta State Government ought to exercise precision in addressing cultism, implementing lasting solutions to mitigate its prevalence within the state,” he concluded.