Several youths in Edo State have publicly renounced their membership of various cult groups in a mass exercise.
The exercise, themed “Restitution, Rehabilitation and Safer Edo State,” was organised by the Edo State Government as part of efforts to tackle cultism and other violent crimes.
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At the event, Governor Monday Okpebholo commended the youths for renouncing cultism.
Mr Okpebholo, however, warned others still involved in the practice to follow suit or face the full weight of the law.
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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.
“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.
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Mr Okpebholo said the government is providing opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration for those willing to abandon criminal activities and turn their lives around.
He warned that the government would not hesitate to order the demolition of buildings used for cult-related activities.
The governor said Edo recorded more than 300 cult-related killings annually before his administration assumed office in 2024, adding that the figure had since dropped to almost zero.
He did not, however, provide statistics to back his claim.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the State Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultists, Noah Idemudia, commended the governor for establishing the squad and supporting its collaboration with security agencies.
Mr Idemudia said the squad had contributed to the state’s efforts to combat kidnapping and cult-related activities.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Patrick Daaor, also commended the administration’s efforts to tackle crime, particularly cultism.
Mr Daaor said the programme was designed to save young lives and encourage former cult members to become productive members of society.
The Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Roland Otaru, SAN, said cult-related activities had destroyed lives and property across the state.
READ ALSO: Police commissioner in Bayelsa orders crackdown on cult groups
Mr Otaru said the government’s initiatives demonstrated its commitment to restoring peace.
He added that establishing 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.
(NAN)
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