Lagos — Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti, (UNAD), Professor Dipo Kolawole, yesterday in Lagos, accused security agencies of abetting cultism in tertiary institutions.

He said the security services had frustrated the institutions' efforts in stamping out cultism on the campuses.

"One of the major challenges we are having in curbing cultism is the aspect of security operatives. They have not been helpful to us, because whenever the school authorities made an arrest, the offenders are released immediately," Kolawole told newsmen.

According to him, the security forces have not taken the bull by the horn to curb cultism among students.

Kolawole, who described cultism as a national malaise, expressed

the conviction that it could be eradicated in the country, adding that the school had constituted an anti-cultism committee with students as members.

"We have constituted a task force on cultism using students to give us information in order to combat the ugly trend," said

Kolawole, who assumed office five months ago.

On reforms being carried out in the institution, he said the authorities had provided some infrastructure and reinforced manpower to enhance quality education, adding that N20 million had been set aside for research, while another N1 million had been earmarked for indigent students.