In a significant turn of events, 48 repentant cultists from the Sagamu area of Ogun State have handed over their weapons to the Nigeria Police Force, renouncing their membership in various cult groups.
The ceremony, aimed at profiling the repentant cultists and documenting the surrendered arms and ammunition, took place at the Palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adewale Ajayi, in the Sagamu Local Government Area on Tuesday.
Earlier in January, two cult groups, Neo Black Movement (Aye) and the National Association of Airlords (Eiye Confraternity), Sagamu chapter, had penned letters of apology to the Akarigbo of Remoland, expressing remorse for their actions and seeking forgiveness from traditional rulers in Remoland.
The surrendered weapons include one pump action gun, four double barrels, seven single barrels, two English pistols, four locally made pistols, and 35 cartridges.
The State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, attributed the successful surrender of arms to the police’s strategy of moral persuasion, emphasizing the importance of turning away from violence and embracing peace. Alamutu expressed hope that the repentant cultists would not revert to their previous ways.
Furthermore, Alamutu disclosed plans for collaboration between the police, Ogun State government, and traditional rulers to establish an Anti-Cultism Vanguard to educate others on the dangers of cultism.
In response, Oba Ajayi highlighted the community’s efforts in engaging with the repentant cultists, encouraging them to abandon their destructive paths and reintegrate into society. He expressed gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun, security agencies, and the Sagamu Security Committee for their roles in facilitating the amnesty deal.
The monarch appealed to the community to embrace and support the repentant cultists, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in fostering lasting peace.
