Dapo Abiodun
Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun, says he is considering enacting a law that will prescribe the death penalty for cultists in the state.
His statement comes amid heightened cult clashes which have led to the death of many residents in some parts of the state.
On Sunday, four persons were reportedly killed after suspected cultists invaded the Ijagba community in the Sagamu area of the state.
Two persons in another community were also killed on the same day.
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Responding to the incidents, the governor said the government may soon enact a law that will pronounce the death penalty on anyone caught engaging in cult activities.
Abiodun said he had asked the commissioner of police, the director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the commander of the civil defence and the commander of Amotekun, the regional security outfit, to relocate to Sagamu in a bid to curtail the activities of cultists.
“We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we bring any person directly, indirectly or remotely responsible for these occurrences to book,” he wrote on his X page.
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“I have discussed with the attorney general. Perhaps it is our disposition that allows for these occurrences of heinous crimes.
“It is within my powers as the governor of this state to pronounce the death penalty on people and we are going to ensure that we enact that because when people appreciate and understand the consequences of their behaviours, perhaps they will begin to have a rethink.
“The last time I came here, I said any house where we arrest anybody connected to either cultism or kidnapping, we will demolish.
“I am now pronouncing that we will no longer refer to these people as cultists or any other name. We are pronouncing them as murderers and we will mete out punishments that are deserving to murderers.”
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He said his government is committed to the development and prosperity of the state, adding that he will need the support of traditional rulers to curb criminal activities.
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