ABUJA— THE police authorities have ordered a clamp down on shrines and other fetish set-ups across the country which share similarities of operations with the recently discovered Ogwugwu shrine in Okija, Ihiala local government area of Anambra State.
Vanguard gathered that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, who was shocked by the Okija discoveries, contacted the presidency after which he issued a directive that fetish enclaves posing threats and grave danger to the citizenry should be identified and appropriate sanctions imposed. Vanguard learnt that the police authorities also ordered thorough investigations into the background of the patrons of such shrines.
Said one source: “The authorities also directed the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State to ensure that the recovered list of those that patronise the shrine is closely protected to avoid its disappearance while all the prominent names discovered on the list will be made public as soon as the police complete their investigations. Already, a list of such fetish shrines which the police have identified for clampdown is being compiled and so far includes Aiyelala shrine near Aiyetoro community in Ilaje Eseodo local government area of Ondo State, Somorika in Edo State and three others in Kogi, Cross River and Benue States.”
Vanguard gathered that police detectives had already been ordered to move into such areas to effect the clampdown.
When Vanguard sought to speak with the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chris Olakpe, in Abuja, he was said to have travelled with the Inspector-General of Police to Lagos but the Commissioner of Police in-charge of operations at the headquarters, Mr. Lawrence Alobi, simply described the discovery in Anambra as a wonderful achievement by the police.
According to him, “information is a very important instrument in policing. We are not wizards and the people who live with those involved in this devilish acts should come out and volunteer information on their nefarious and criminal activities. When we get such information, we can now act like the Commissioner of Police in Anambra did.
“We in the Force do not believe in those superstitious nonsense. We have confidence in our God. We are there for justice, equity and fair play and we are not there for any fetish act. We have the courage to do what is right and all those fetish things do not affect anybody. Those imaginations have no substance where we are. We have to protect lives and property and as for now, those who have been living in fear in Anambra State, who have been caged by that belief, will now start heaving a sigh of relief,” he said.
