The Akwa Ibom State Government has said it is aware of plans by some self-centered individuals hiding under the cloak of political opposition to instigate a cult war in the state with the intention of creating a false sense of insecurity to disrupt the peace and tranquility the state has enjoyed in the last three years.

In a press statement issued last night and made available to News Express, the state government says the stance of the major opposition party in the state is a rehearsal of their grand plan to activate the well-publicised and documented federal-might agenda by deploying auditioned security personnel ahead of elections to lay the ground works to intimidate the electorates and ultimately skew electioneering process in their favor.

The statement signed by the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, reads: “In the light of this development, the Akwa Ibom State Government wishes to draw the attention of the public to the existing Cultism and other Violent Behaviour Prohibition Order 2018. The order, which became effective from March 12, 2018 and is still actively in force, prohibits and bans the operations and recognition or activities of all cult groups.

“The State Government in conjunction with security agencies will continue to do all within its powers to preserve the extant laws of the land and protect lives and properties while the full weight of the law will be visited on any person or group of persons (irrespective of political affiliation) who instigates, sponsors or employs violence in any form or semblance within the state.”

Udoh, however, advised law abiding citizens in the state to be vigilant and draw the attention of security agencies to any suspicious activities they may notice that could threaten the maintenance of peace and security in the state.

“The Akwa Ibom State Government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the state remains a safe-haven for residents, citizens, tourists and investors,” he added.