Anambra: CP Commends Soludo’s Approval Of 21 Years Minimum Jail Term For Cultists

ANAMBRA: CP Commends Soludo’s Approval of 21 Years Minimum Jail Term For Cultists

…As group urged Adamawa State Assembly, Chief Executive to consider similar treatment for Shilla notoriety

The Periscope Global

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has commended the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo and the members of the State House of Assembly for the enactment of the Anambra State Anticultism and Anti-touting Law.

It would be recalled that Governor Soludo, on Tuesday, June 11, signed the Anticultism and Anti-touting Bill into law in the State.

The new law, among other things, prescribes a jail term of a minimum of 21 years (with no option of fine) for any person found culpable of cult-related activities in the State.

The new law also prescribes the legal confinement of six months or N500,000 fine for anyone found culpable of harassing innocent individuals to obtain illegal tolls, illegal scalpers, or any related activities in the State.

Commenting on the development, through a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, SP Ikenga Tochukwu; the State Police Commissioner, CP Itam, described it as commendable, expressing optimism that it will help to stem cultism, touting and other such illegalities in the State.

“…these developments shall further re-echo the campaign and stand against touting and cultism, especially the Police advocacy program — Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), a program targeted to sensitise the youths on the dangers of bad groups, drugs, and other vices.

According to SP Ikenga, the Police Commissioner also reiterated his warning to criminal elements in the State to repent, as the Command would ensure anyone found culpable is made to face the full weight of the law; even as he also urged parents and guardians to keep watch on their children and help advise them against such illegalities and other acts of criminality.

The elders and youths in Adamawa state, having commended Anambra state for boldly taking the legal step aimed at societal reorientation with a view to restore moral sensibility thereby salvaging the youth from degenerating into the race of savages, have called on the state lawmakers and the governor to key into the feat to enable fresh-security-air permeated the atmosphere that is polluted by the Shilla activities akin cultism and touting, more particularly around the state headquarters.

“There’s the need for the state lawmakers to not only sponsor but to pass Anti-Shilla Bill for the governor to have it approved, with a 21 years minimum jail term, without any option against the Shilla gangs and their godfathers.

“Some of them commit crimes as commercial tricyclists; the punishment should include those who hired the tricycles to the Shilla gangs and the parents who try to cover the crimes committed by the uncultured children,” the elders and youths interviewed in Yola North said.