Activist, Delta govt, police clash over initiation of pupils into cultism

The Delta State Government, the state police command and an activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, have disagreed over the alleged initiation of pupils into cultism in the state.

City & Crime reports that the activist had in a viral video alleged that 61 pupils between the ages of eight and 15 in a private school have been initiated into cultism through a process called “snake bite”, alleging further that a similar initiation also took place in another school.

Against the backdrop of the video, the state government ordered a massive clampdown on cultism and cult -related activities in schools across the state.

Speaking with newsmen at a press conference in Asaba, the Commissioner for Information, Hon Charles Aniagwu, said the directive became necessary following rising cases of cult-related activities in secondary and primary schools in the state.

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• Activist, Delta govt, police clash over initiation of pupils into cultism

Aniagwu said the Ministry of Education and relevant supervisory and regulatory authorities had been directed to ensure proper supervision of all schools to nip the trend in the bud.

The  commissioner, who noted that schools must deal decisively with devious behaviour among students to bring law and order in schools, added that  any school where such activities took place risked being closed down by the government.

Reacting to the incident, the police command described the story of initiation of pupils into cultism in schools as false.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, who spoke to our correspondent, said the command examined the video clip and carried out an investigation.

He explained that, “The command, having examined the video clip and carried out an investigation, wishes to debunk the narrative by the said activist as false and should be completely disregarded.”

He, therefore, urged parents to be calm and ignore the false claim making the rounds, saying, “It is again advised that the false publication should not be taken seriously.”