The Anambra State Police command has listed some of the reasons attracting people into cult groups, saying the command is committed to making sure that cult menace is reduced to the barest minimum in the state.

Cultism has become rampant in the state, particularly, Awka, where many rival groups kill each other almost on a daily basis.

In a statement in Awka, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said some of the youths participating in cult activities were due to their parents’ involvement in similar activities.

He also identified what he called the mad rush to acquire wealth and power in the society as another reason.

Ikenga added: “Children who have emotional sickness tend to be depressed and frustrated with life and in an attempt to express their anger against neglect, may join cult groups to unleash terror on the society that has caused them emotional pain.

“Also, motivation for joining cult groups may come from peer group influence, whereby some students become cultists because their friends lured them into joining.

“Similarly, in some institutions, officials play the role of grand patron to some cult groups and also sponsor them, such that the student cultists are used against several members of the community for selfish reasons,” he added.

He also attributed the increasing menace of cultism to inadequate religious and moral education in the families.

“Some parents have abandoned their responsibilities in the area of moral upbringing of their children because of the craze for material wealth. They hardly show interest in the educational/academic progress of their children. Such parents do not attend parents’ fora and meetings organized by authorities of the institutions their children attend,” he added.

He urged people to join the Police Campaign Against Cultism & Other Vices, POCACOV, which has been established by the command. (Vanguard)

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