Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has restated his administration’s commitment to the fight against cultism and related criminal activities, warning that Ogun under his watch will not be a safe haven for cultists and their sponsors.
He equally threatened that his administration would not hesitate to bring down the full weight of the law on anyone caught engaging in cultism as well as individual backers, no matter highly placed
Abiodun, who expressed worry over the spike in cultism activities in some parts of the state, gave the warning in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Thursday.
“I want to once again sound this note of warning to those engaging in criminal activities such as cultism, kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery, among other nefarious activities, that this administration will be decisive in bringing down the full weight of the law on those who perpetuate these crimes.
“Ogun State is known for peace as we have been adjudged the most peaceful in the country. We are not only the industrial capital of this country, we are also the religious and educational capital, and so anyone who disrupts the peace the state is noted for would be regarded as a saboteur and will be treated as one.
“I want to again reiterate that any house that accommodates hoodlums and criminals will not only be confiscated, but will be pulled down. We will find them, smoke them out and hand them over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution according to the laws of the land.
“To this end, I appeal to landlords to scrutinize those they intend to lease or rent their property to ensure they are of good character, while parents and guardians on their part should warn their children and wards to desist from criminal activities”, the governor stated.
Abiodun who underscored the importance of peace in any society, said his administration in the last four years, has embarked on industrial drive both in and outside the country, to bring in more investors to invest in the state, adding that his government would not close its eyes and watch these efforts turn to waste as a result of criminal activities.
The governor emphasized that his administration would continue to empower the security agencies in the state to carry out their constitutional duties of protecting lives and properties, calling on the people to report crimes and criminal activities in their areas to the police or any law enforcement agency for necessary action.