Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Irked by rampant cult activities in schools, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has ordered heads of tertiary institutions in the state to end cultism in their various campuses before the end of February, 2020 or resign from their respective positions.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Mohammed, said the governor gave the ultimatum on Friday during a critical security meeting with heads of tertiary institutions and Chief Security Officers (CSOs) at the Exco Hall of Government House in Lokoja.
Violent cult clashes leading to loss of lives in recent times, have become the order of the day in virtually all the tertiary institutions across the state
The governor held similar meetings with several agencies and relevant stakeholders including heads of security agencies in the state and a joint Security Meeting with the Traditional rulers and local government administrators on Thursday.
The Governor who said insecurity of any form including cultism, would not be tolerated in Kogi State, noted that his administration would henceforth turn its attention to the menace of cultism in all institutions in Kogi State.
He pointed out that the major objective of any government was to protect lives and properties of its citizens, noting that his administration would deal decisively with any head of institution as well as CSOs who jeopardized his effort in providing security for the people of Kogi state.
“You are the heads of your institutions; Profile your students, staff and management team. You are to train individuals that will be found worthy in character and learning and not criminals who will disturb the peace of the society”, the governor said.
He urged them to hold sensitisations with host communities, youth , men and women groups on the need to speak to their wards to denounce cultism.
The Governor also disclosed that opportunity would be given to repentant cultists to denounce without any harm to them, stressing that those who refused to turn a new leaf would face the full wrath of the law.
Heads of all tertiary institutions in the state alongside their Chief Security Officers and representatives of security agencies attended the meeting.
