C’River insists no cult is paid to maintain peace

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The Cross River State has instead that the government is not paying any cult to maintain peace in the state.

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The Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, reiterated the stance of the government on Tuesday in Calabar.

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Recall that there had been reports that the state had allegedly been making payments to cults as part of efforts to maintain peace and security in the state.

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Cobham, who insisted that such reports are false, challenged those making the allegation to provide evidence of any such payment, including the identity of the alleged recipients and documentation linking them to the state government.

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He said, “I can’t speak into what does not exist. I would like you to bring the basis showing that the government paid this person, and the identity of that person, which you will have to prove is a cultist.” Cobham described the allegation as a rumour without substance, stressing that his responsibility as Commissioner for Information was to deal with facts.

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He urged members of the public to distinguish between verifiable information and rumours, particularly on issues concerning public expenditure and security.

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He added, “Allegations involving government funds should be supported with evidence showing the source of the payment, the recipient and the purpose for which the funds were released.

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“The government will not engage in claims that were not supported by verifiable facts. Those with evidence of alleged payments such make such information available to the appropriate authorities.

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Cobham also reiterated the state government’s commitment to making quality and accurate information available on its policies and programmes in order to reduce misinformation.

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