27th March, 2024
By Adejoke Adeleye/Ogun
No fewer than 48 youths in Sagamu local government area of Ogun state have openly denounced their membership of various cult gangs by surrendering the weapons in their custody to the police.
Speaking at a press conference held in his palace, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, explained that the initiative was the outcome of multiple meetings and discussions during which many of the cultists expressed regret for their evil deeds and pledged to start over.
Oba Ajayi said, “not satisfied with the killings and disturbance of these cultists in the town, the community re-strategized and moved against them. The heat was so much that some of them were even forced to leave the town, but they have continued to beg, sending emissaries that they are 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 royal father praised Governor Dapo Abiodun, the security services, and the Sagamu Security Committee for working tirelessly for the success of the amnesty deal.
Oba Ajayi implored the members of the Sagamu community to show the repentant cultists compassion and care instead of rejecting them as outcasts.
The weapons submitted by cultists are one pump action gun, four double barrels, seven single barrel, two English pistols, four locally made pistols and 35 cartridges.
Also speaking at the event, Ogun Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu who also received the weapons, commended the youths for taking such bold step.
According to Alamutu, the key to offering cultists an olive branch is to give them another chance to improve as citizens and start making a positive impact on the state’s harmonious cohabitation.
“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, even those who have their licences are encouraged to return theirs too.
At the event were the Special Adviser to Gov Abiodun on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (rtd) the Director of State Security Services, Mrs Folashade Adekaiyaja represented by Sikiru Kolawole, Deputy Director, Operations and Intelligence, Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu, Odofin of Soyindo, Sagamu, Oba Gisanrin Lasisi among others.