By Charles Kumolu

Vanguard Features report, on Monday, underlines the alarming reality that cultism has become so widespread in Lagos that it is threatening to spin out of control. But the question remains: What are law-enforcement agencies, especially the Police, doing to contain threat that it poses to the society?

Indeed, for the Lagos State Police Command, cult-related crimes are among the frequently reported. Police stations in most of the identified flashpoints have their hands full treating such cases,   some of which are charged to court.

But given its pervasive spread, some members of the public are wont to think that   the Police are incapable of arresting the rampaging monster.

Immediate past Lagos State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Umar Manko, acknowledged this alarming reality, while regretting that during his tenure the essence of charging the suspects to court was often deflated by the light punishment that cultists get at the court. Indeed VF found out that what the arraigned cultists get are not often punitive enough.

Facts and figures

Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command

Also acknowledging this challenge to VF, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Command, noted that the police is bound to take whatever decision the court takes.

‘’When we take them to courts, ours is to present the facts and figures of the case to the court; whatsoever happens in the court, the judgement of the court is not influenced by the police; whatsoever decision they take, we abide by it, ‘’ he stated.

Reminded that such decision is also subject to appeal by the police, Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, conceded.

But he clarified thus: ‘’If we are not satisfied with the judgement we can appeal but as a law-abiding organisation, we have a responsibility to abide by the rules and regulations.’’

Nwosu does not think the police should be blamed for the trend, since the law specifically outlined its role in crime fighting.

Plans for identified hotspots: He also explained thus: ‘’The issue of arresting cultists, taking them to court and they get back to the society has to do with the justice system of the country, which involves the police, the judiciary and the prisons.’’

The responsibility of the police in this regard, Nwosu said, ‘’is to apprehend after investigation and prosecute. We prosecute not just with the intention of gaining conviction but also with the intent of finding out the remote and immediate cause of the problem to keep the society safe.’’

He, however, aligned his position with popularly held belief about cultism.

‘’Cultism, like other crimes, is dysfunctional aspect of the society in the sense that there is no society that is crime-free, but it can be reduced to the barest minimum which is what the Command has done and will continue to do,’’ the police image maker added.

On whether the command has a special plan for the identified hotspots, Nwosu responded thus: ‘’The society is dynamic, evolving and with the advent of technology and internet everything is changing fast. The Nigeria Police has also upped its game to meet with the ever changing needs of the society and to be a step ahead of the criminals.’’

More potent deterrents

However, a legal practitioner and head Oloru and Oluru Chambers, Mr. Seyi Oloruminbe disagreed that the judiciary accounts for the apparent failure at curbing the menace.

Oloruminbe frowned at what he called the ‘’insensitive attitude of letting go some apprehended suspects’’ by the police.

‘’Every one knows that virtually every crime has unfortunately become bailable in Nigeria. That is where the Police come in. It is wrong to accuse the judiciary. The courts only treat the cases that the police bring. A further investigation will expose how law enforcement agents assist in the growth of this problem. Much as I agree that more potent deterrents are initiated in form of enabling laws, law enforcement agencies also need to review their approach, else we will all be consumed.’’