The police in Kwara state raised the alarm over a proposed plan by suspected cultists to foment trouble in the state in celebration of its ‘Cult Day’ on July 7, 2018.

A statement by the command’s spokesman, Ajayi Okasanmi, said men and officers from the command have been mobilised to handle the situation as it appealed for vigilance from members of the public, especially hoteliers and motorcycle riders.

A least 11 suspects were arrested over the same development last year in a two-day sting in the state capital. The then Commissioner of police for the state, Lawan Ado, who briefed newsmen on the arrest, said the cultist had targeted to strike in the state on July 7, 2017 to mark what they had termed ‘7/7/7’ during which they had planned to unleash mayhem on residents.

Senior Special Assistant on Security Intelligence to the Kwara State Governor, Dr. B.S Abdulsalam had earlier hinted the suspects were arrested following a discreet investigation by the security operatives.

Abdulsalam also disclosed that some officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) were on the night preceding 7/7/17 drafted to mount static surveillance on a hotel in Ilorin, with a view to stopping a planned initiation of new cult members by midnight.

Yesterday’s statement vowed that anyone found culpable in the latest proposed celebration of the ‘Cult Day’ would be severely dealt with and asked parents and guardians to prevail on their wards against joining such groups of individuals.

Excerpt from the statement reads: “Intelligence has revealed plans by CULT groups within the state to foment trouble in commemoration of Cultism day on 7/7/2018.

“The command is by this Release calling on parents, guardians, community and religious leaders to warn their children and wards to desist from joining any group or individual to break the law on the pretext of marking cultism day. Any person or group of persons found in any manner that is likely to distort the existing peace and tranquillity in the state will be dealt with in accordance with the law of the land.

“ Hoteliers, drivers, and okada riders are advised to be vigilant. Youth are advised to be conscious of groups they associate with at this period. Police officers have been directed to intensify stop and search.

“Members of the public are advised to cooperate with the Police, report any suspected character in their area to the Police through the following numbers, 08125275046, 09053872299, while the rights of every citizen will be respected as enshrined Nigerians constitution, and in line with the directives of the inspector general of police, please.”