By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr. John Abang, has called on Area Commanders, Divisional Police officers and tactical Commanders in the state to brace up for the recent upsurge in cult activities in the state.

The CP who addressed the officers at the state Police Command in Amawbia, Awka south Local Government of the state called for immediate and aggressive manhunt of perpetrators including their sponsors in order to stem the tide of the menace.

The state had recently recorded an increase in cult clashes which subsequently led to the death of a four months old baby after a stray bullet from the gun of a suspected cultist hit him while on his mother’s warm arms inside a Keke Napep.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Haruna Mohammed, said that the directives have already started yielding positive results as some notorious suspects have been arrested and are making useful statements about their levels of involvement.

He said: “The Command is determined as usual to ensure that criminals have no hiding place in the state no matter how highly placed they might be and would deal decisively with anyone apprehended in accordance with the law.

“Consequently, the Command further assures all Ndi-Anambra and residents alike of its commitments towards providing Safety and Security in the State. The Command equally enjoins parents/guardians to Caution their children to refrain from indulging into cultism and other nefarious activities as anyone found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.”

Mohammed called on the public to utilize some phone numbers in case of any emergency and to report suspicious persons for prompt response.

Some of the numbers include: Control room number, 07039194332, OPS officer, CSP William Odumu, 08036877447, O/C SARS, CSP Agbazue Patrick, 08112201345, OC Operation, Udoka, SP Uche Eze, 08034011445, SP Haruna Mohammed, PPRO, 08060970639, OC Anti Cult, SP Uche Onyinata, 07033778430, among others.