AGGA Accuses Aiyedatiwa Campaign Group Of Promoting Cultism,Calls Police Crackdown On Cultists

‎The Association for Good Governance Advocacy (AGGA), Ondo State Chapter, has called on the police and other security agencies in the state to immediately clamp down on cultists and criminal elements in the state.
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‎The group decried what it described as the alarming spate of cult-related activities across the state, linking the rising wave of crime to the proliferation of armed cult groups allegedly being empowered ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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‎In a statement signed by its State Coordinator, Mrs Folakemi Benson, AGGA expressed concern over reports that some politicians were already arming cultists with weapons and ammunition to use them as political thugs in the build-up to the polls.
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‎According to the group, the high rate of crime in the state is closely connected to the activities of these cult groups, many of whom allegedly have access to firearms and are involved in kidnapping, robbery and other violent crimes.
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‎AGGA further noted that several criminal cases, particularly kidnapping incidents, go unreported, thereby creating a false impression that the situation is under control.
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‎The group, however, blamed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for what it termed the encouragement of cultism in the state, alleging that certain political actions and associations were encouraging these criminal elements.
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‎Specifically, AGGA referenced a group christened Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation for Tinubu (LACOT), whose members reportedly adopted “blue berets” as part of their identity.
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‎The advocacy group argued that such a mode of dressing could embolden cultists in their activities across the state, as it allegedly shares similarities with the attire of a known cult group.
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‎In the statement, the group said: “Apart from the fact that Ondo State, which used to be one of the safest states in the country, has now become a kidnappers’ den, it is shocking and disheartening that six people would be kidnapped in a church at Uso in Owo Local Government on Tuesday.
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‎“No doubt these suspected bandits who are committing crimes in the state have some internal allies who are working with them to carry out this series of kidnapping and killing. Who knows if their allies are not these cultists?
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‎“It is shameful that at a period when the state is battling issues of insecurity, supporters of Governor Aiyedatiwa would launch a campaign group that adopts berets that share the same colour as a particular cult group.”
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‎AGGA therefore urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the alleged arming of cultists and ensure that anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation, is brought to justice.