The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Abiodun Alamutu, announced on Tuesday that 48 members of different cult groups in the Sagamu area have decided to leave their groups.
The former cult members have also surrendered their weapons to the police.
The weapons turned in by the repentant cultists include one pump action gun, four double barrels, seven single barrels, two English pistols, four locally made pistols, and 35 cartridges.
Alamutu, speaking at the Akarigbo Palace during the handover of the firearms, stated that the goal of offering this opportunity to cultists is to give them a chance to change their ways and become productive members of society who can help promote peace in the state.
He explained, “The olive branch we are extending to these cultists is a product of several engagements. We all know the problem we have had in the past with frequent cult clashes causing loss of lives in Sagamu.
“And working with the government and traditional rulers, we kick off this process whereby the cultists will come forward denounce their membership and submit any firearms with them without any punitive measures.
“This is in line with the directive from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who has ordered that the illicit firearms should be mopped up, and even those who have their licences are encouraged to return theirs too.
“We urge the cultists in the state to embrace this golden opportunity. Many of them are already aware that cultism does not pay, so they should come and lay down their weapons because anyone caught when this window is closed will be treated as a common criminal.”
Earlier, the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, explained that the amnesty for the cultists was a result of numerous discussions and engagements. Many of the cultists expressed regret for their criminal actions and vowed to change their ways.
Oba Ajayi said that “not satisfied with the killings and disturbance of these cultists in the town, the community restrategised and moved against them. The heat was so much that some of them were even forced to leave the town, but they continued to beg, sending emissaries that they were ready to turn a new leaf.
“We have engaged them and told them point-blank that cultism is not the way forward, that they will only ruin their life, ruin their family name and the plans of God for their lives.
“We told them to submit their weapons and stay away from cultism, and we have promised to integrate them into the society. It is an ongoing exercise, and we hope that their colleagues in other parts of Remo land and Ogun State as a whole will draw a vital lesson and follow suit as well.”
The king expressed gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun, security agencies, and the Sagamu Security Committee for their continuous efforts in making the amnesty deal for former cultists successful. Oba Ajayi also urged the people of Sagamu to embrace the reformed cultists with love and support instead of ostracizing them.
