Police, Laurahope Foundation Deepen Partnership Against Cultism in C’River
By Benjamin GBOR
The Cross River State Police Command and Laurahope Care and Rescue Foundation have strengthened their partnership to tackle cultism and other social vices across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, received the management of the foundation, led by its Director, Hope James, during a courtesy visit on Wednesday.
The meeting built on a recent intervention in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area, where about 40 youths associated with cult groups publicly renounced cultism and pledged to embrace peaceful and law-abiding lifestyles.
The initiative was carried out by the Police Command in collaboration with the Abini Elites Association and Laurahope Foundation.
During the meeting, the commissioner and the foundation reviewed the outcome of the Biase intervention and discussed plans to extend similar community-based initiatives to other parts of the state.
James called for stronger collaboration between the foundation and the Police Command to sustain the gains recorded and improve rehabilitation and reintegration efforts for youths who renounce cultism.
Ordue said the police would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing and lawful enforcement against criminal elements but stressed that sustainable security also required preventive measures to address factors that make young people vulnerable to cult recruitment.
The commissioner commended the foundation, community leaders and other stakeholders involved in the Biase initiative, noting that tackling cultism required the collective efforts of families, traditional institutions, religious bodies, schools, civil society organisations and communities.
Both parties subsequently committed to deepening their partnership through sustained community-based interventions aimed at preventing cultism, supporting the reintegration of repentant youths and promoting peace and security across Cross River State.
