The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, has lauded the state government for deeming it fit to create a special court to try cult-related cases in the state.

Mr Alamutu spoke on Tuesday in Abeokuta during a security roundtable, organised by the Ogun Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students and the National Association of Ogun State Students.

The CP noted that the special court would assist the state in reducing the burden on regular courts.

”But it will also help security agencies in the fight against the menace of cultism,” Mr Alamutu said.

The event, with the theme “Economic/political approach in combating insecurity,” also witnessed the inauguration of the new executive committee members of NANS and NAOSS in the state.

Mr Alamutu, who was represented by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Haruna Adamu, described cultism as one of the major crimes in the state.

He said, “In Ogun, we have our own issue of insecurity like other states. Here in Ogun, the issue we face is cultism. Cultism is the root of every crime in this state. It is the root of armed robbery and this issue of cultism is disturbing us seriously. These cultists graduate from cultism to armed robbery and other crimes. We are working to make sure that we reduce this menace in our society. Today in Ogun, the government has come up with a court that will deal with cultism issues. No case will be taken to that court apart from cultism cases. The creation of this court will help us a lot to reduce issues of cultism in this state.’’

In his remarks, Special Assistant to the State Governor on Student Matters, Azeez Adeyemi, urged security agencies to partner with students and other relevant stakeholders in combating insecurity in the state.

He said, “Economic well-being of the people is a significant determinant of the larger security in society. An economically-engaged and self-sufficient human is less vulnerable to take options in criminal acts. Qualitatively-educated citizens, particularly agile youths, are usually intelligent enough to interact with their society more productively than dangerously. Well-trained young people are in fact crucial in developing an economy to become more progressive, as well as contributing to combating insecurity with innovative ideas and technology.’’

(NAN)