The World Institute for Peace (WIP) has called on the Osun State Government to adopt a seven-point action plan to tackle cultism and cult-related killings, including the establishment of a special court and measures to prevent political interference in criminal investigations.
The organisation made the recommendations in a letter signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi, and addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The letter, sighted by Insightlinks, expressed concern over the loss of young lives to cult-related violence and called for urgent measures to protect residents across the state.
WIP stressed the need for a coordinated, sustained and impartial approach to tackling cultism, insisting that no individual should be shielded from prosecution because of political connections, financial influence or social status.
“No individual or group should be allowed to operate above the law. The fight against cultism must be impartial, uncompromising and guided by justice,” the organisation stated.
The seven measures proposed by WIP are as follows:
1. Stronger collaboration among security agencies
WIP urged the government to strengthen cooperation among the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police anti-cultism unit in Osun State.
It said improved intelligence gathering, proactive crime prevention, effective investigations, lawful arrests and prosecution of suspects were essential to curbing cult-related violence.
2. Establishment of a special court for cultism
The organisation called on the state government to work with the Osun State House of Assembly and the Office of the Chief Judge to establish a special court or designate a specialised judicial division to handle cultism and related violent offences.
It proposed that such cases should receive priority attention, with proceedings targeted for conclusion within three months where practicable, subject to fair hearing, due process and applicable laws.
3. Zero tolerance for political interference
WIP urged Governor Adeleke to caution politicians, public officeholders and influential individuals against sponsoring, financing or protecting cult groups or interfering in investigations and prosecutions.
The organisation maintained that anyone found culpable should be held accountable under the law, regardless of political affiliation, personal relationships or social standing.
4. Reclaiming streets and communities from cult groups
The organisation called on security agencies to identify cultism-prone areas across Osun State and intensify lawful patrols to prevent violence, intimidation and other criminal activities.
It insisted that no street, junction, village, town or city should become a safe haven for violent cult groups.
5. Review of anti-cultism laws and stronger penalties
WIP recommended a review of existing anti-cultism legislation to strengthen the legal framework for preventing and prosecuting cult-related offences.
It advocated stringent but proportionate penalties, including life imprisonment where justified under applicable law, while emphasising that all punishments must comply with existing legislation and constitutional safeguards.
6. Rehabilitation of former cult members
Recognising that enforcement alone may not permanently eliminate cultism, WIP proposed rehabilitation programmes for individuals who genuinely renounce cultism and violence.
It recommended counselling, peace education, behavioural rehabilitation, vocational training, skills acquisition and support for lawful reintegration into society.
The organisation, however, stressed that rehabilitation must not reward criminal conduct or be used to advance political interests.
7. Urgent stakeholders’ meeting
WIP called for an urgent meeting involving security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations, educational institutions and civil society groups to develop a coordinated strategy against cultism.
According to the organisation, the meeting should produce measurable action plans, clear implementation timelines, monitoring mechanisms and periodic assessments to ensure that the agreed measures deliver tangible results.
WIP urges Adeleke to act before more lives are lost
Beyond the seven recommendations, WIP maintained that tackling cultism requires sustained action rather than occasional arrests and public statements.
It called for effective intelligence gathering, impartial law enforcement, accountability, preventive education, community participation and rehabilitation to work together in addressing the menace.
The organisation also urged Adeleke to demonstrate the political will to ensure that reported cases of cult-related violence receive appropriate attention and that no suspect is protected because of personal or political connections.
“The lives of our young people must not continue to be sacrificed to cultism. The safety of our communities must not be negotiable. The time to act is now,” WIP stated.
WIP reaffirmed its commitment to peacebuilding, human rights protection and public safety, urging the state government to translate the recommendations contained in its letter into concrete policies and sustained interventions.
It expressed hope that implementing the proposed measures would help reduce cultism, prevent further killings and restore public confidence in the security of communities across Osun State.