Some youths in Edo has publicly renounced their membership of various cult groups in a mass denunciation exercise organised by the state government.
The exercise, themed: “Restitution, Rehabilitation and Safer Edo State,” was organised by the Edo government as part of efforts to tackle cultism and other violent crimes.
At the event, Gov. Monday Okpebholo commended the youths for renouncing cultism.
Okpebholo, however, warned others still involved in the practice to follow suit or face the full weight of the law.
The governor said his administration would sustain its campaign against cultism and criminality, stressing that the government is determined to make the state safe for residents.
“On our part, we are not afraid to go after cultists and criminal elements in Edo.
“Please take the message back to those that have not changed; they still have the power to renounce because if they are caught, there will be no mercy,” he said.
Okpebholo said the government is providing opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration for those willing to abandon criminal activities and turn their lives around.
“We are offering genuine opportunities for rehabilitation and ensuring that your past does not define your future,” he said.
He warned, however, that the government would not hesitate to order the demolition of buildings used for cult-related activities.
“The security forces are still behind us, I am ready and hungry to give the directive to demolish any house used for cult-related activities,” he said.
The governor said that Edo recorded more than 300 cult-related killings annually before his administration assumed office less than two years ago, adding that the figure had since dropped to almost zero.
He did not, however, provide statistics for the reported decline at the event.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the State Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultists, Mr Noah Idemudia, commended the governor for establishing the squad and supporting its collaboration with security agencies.
Idemudia said the squad had contributed to the state’s efforts to combat kidnapping and cult-related activities.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Mr Patrick Daaor, also commended the administration’s efforts to tackle criminality, particularly cultism.
Daaor said the renunciation programme was designed to save young lives and encourage former cult members to become productive members of society.
Similarly, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Roland Otaru, SAN, said cult-related activities had destroyed lives and property across the state.
Otaru said the government’s initiatives demonstrated its commitment to restoring peace.
He added that the establishment of a Special Criminal Court had strengthened the state’s criminal justice system.
He urged cult members to take advantage of the renunciation programme, abandon criminal activities and embrace lawful means of livelihood.
