Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders Foundation ( HURIDE ) has commended the Commander of AntiCult team of Anambra State Police Command, CSP Christopher Bassey, for releasing 13 suspected cultists who have been found not to be members of cult groups.
The chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT),of HURIDE, Dede Uzor A. Uzor, said they were impressed for during the unconditional release of the suspects without collecting a kobo from their family members as was the case with other officers.
The 13 were part of suspected cultists arrested by the Police after an extensive raids of different parts of the the State such as Nkpor, Obosi, Okija Ogidi,Onitsha, Ogbunike, 33, among other places.
Bassey was said to have subjected the suspects to descreet and extensive screening, after which 13 of them found not to be cultists were set free.
Said Dede Uzor “We wish to thank CSP Bassey and his men for respecting citizens’ fundamental rights which are in line with our extant laws.
By releasing these innocent 13 persons without extorting money from them, we want the Inspector – General (IGP) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to reward their hard-working officer”.
Dede Uzor urged the AntiCult Commander to intemsify campaign against cultism especially this period to educate the youths on the danger of engaging in cultism and cult related crimes.
The group also lauded the Anambra State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr.John Abang, who found CSP Bassey worthy and retained him and has been encouraging him.
The activists said they would continue to eulogise the Police whenever they do well and equally knock them when they aired.
He called on the CP to beam his searchlight on some of his corrupt officers especially this festive season of the year.Dede Uzor advised.