Plateau Govt  AllegeS Plot To Recruit Pupils, Students Into Cultism

Plateau State government has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by a secret cult group to recruit primary and secondary school pupils across the state.

It, therefore, directed school authorities to tighten security and prevent unauthorised persons from gaining access to them.

The government said intelligence revealed that the group was planning to infiltrate schools under the guise of humanitarian and educational outreach programmes to lure unsuspecting pupils and students into cult activities.

The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Ministry of Education and addressed to all zonal directors, area directors and principals of public schools across the state.

The circular, signed by the deputy director, Public-Private Partnership, Mr Lafa Longs Lamvong, on behalf of the commissioner for Education, stated that the group intended to visit schools posing as representatives of non-government organisations (NGOs) to donate educational materials and encourage pupils and students to form or join clubs.

According to the ministry, the purported outreach was designed to provide an avenue for recruiting new members into the cult while commemorating its founder’s response. The ministry directed all principals and heads of schools not to admit organisations onto school premises without prior consultation and approval from the Ministry of Education.

It further warned school administrators against interacting with an organisation seeking access to pupils and students without official clearance, stressing the need for heightened vigilance to safeguard learners from criminal influences.

The circular stated in part, “Principals should not allow or entertain visitors without due consultation and also desist from interacting with organisations without the ministry’s authorization.

The Government urged government managers across the state to strictly comply with the directive, describing it as a proactive measure to protect children and maintain a safe, conducive learning environment in all public schools.