By Our Correspondent
Delta State University authority has uncovered a subtle recruitment method by cult groups in the institution with sales of pamphlets called the Anchor.
It also refuted a publication allegedly sponsored by a group, Deltans United against cultism against the institution in banning the sale of Anchor pamphlet in the school, saying it was to mislead the public.
This revelation was contained in a statement by the University Public Relations Officer, Mr. Edward Agburen yesterday.
Agburen stated that the school authority made the startling findings after a student of the institution had cried to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode of the threats to his life for failing to help them sell the pamphlets.
The University Image maker said that the authority promptly banned the sale of the pamphlet and swoop on the group in which one the suspected cultists was arrested who has helped with relevant confessions.
He added that in a fight back, the group embarked on a media campaign of calumny to deceive the public.
According to him, ”The attention of the authorities of the Delta State University, Abraka, has been drawn to a misleading publication at page 38 of the Wednesday December 9 edition of the Vanguard newspaper .
“The intention of this rejoinder is to enlighten the general public and put the lie to the claim by the shadowy group called Deltans United against Cultism that sponsored the publication.
“It should be stated categorically, that the pamphlet in contention, the Anchor, has become a smokescreen which cultists and other nefarious elements use in not only initiating unsuspecting students into cultism, but also in robbing others of money and valuable items.
“The university management has been inundated with complaints in recent times about how cultists have taken over the promotion and sale of the Anchor and in so doing lure innocent students into their evil fold.
“A very recent occurrence exposed the bad intention of the elements behind the sale of the Anchor on campus.
“On the 29th of October 2015, a fresh student cried to the Vice Chancellor’s office to narrate his ordeal in the hands of cultists who were intimidating and recruiting new students in the guise of selling the Anchor.
“The modus operandi of the cultists was to sell the pamphlet and give some pro-cult pep talk to the new students as well as give them certain numbers to call at a particular time.
“They also extorted money and other value items from the new students after which they were warned not to disclose what transpired with the threat of dire consequences should they do so.
“The Vice Chancellor, after listening to the shocking story as told by the fresh student, summoned the university’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and other security agents and raided the spot where the Anchor was being sold.
“The perpetrators of the nefarious act on sighting the VC’s convoy took to their heels in different directions. However, a hot chase by the security agents led to the arrest of one of them, Wisdom Ovie a 200 Level student with matriculation number FOE/13/14/226121.
“Mr. Ovie made very useful confessions to the security agents confirming the use of the sale of the Anchor as a strategy for recruitment of new cultists as well as extortion of money and theft of valuable items from unsuspecting students.
“It is against this background and after investigation that the university management placed a ban on the sale of the Anchor since it has become a veritable means of initiation into cultism, an act that runs against the grain and the intention of the author.
“The University management wishes to state that it has taken proactive measures to curb cultism beyond the mere purchase and possession of the Anchor.
“The Department of Guidance and Counselling, the Faculty of the Social Sciences, the Counselling Centre and religious bodies on campus are now better primed to curb the menace of cultism.
“We urge the Vanguard newspapers and other news media to always cross check reports about the University from the relevant office so that the general public will not be misguided as the sponsors of the publication set out to do.”
