Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu has revealed that not fewer than 48 members of various cult groups in Sagamu have renounced their membership.
The repentant cultists have also surrendered heir firearms to the police.
Weapons submitted by the cultists who have pledged to be of good behaviour going forward include one pump action gun, four double barrels, seven single barrel, two English pistols, four locally made pistols and 35 cartridges.
Speaking during the handing over of these illegal firearms to the police at the Akarigbo Palace, Alamutu said that the essence of the olive branch extended to the cultists is hinged on giving them second chance to become better citizens and contribute towards peaceful coexistence in the state
“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.
“We urged the cultists in the state to embrace this golden opportunity, many of them already are 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 common criminal,” Alamutu said.
Speaking earlier, the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi said that the amnesty for the cultists was as result of several engagements and discussion during when many of the cultists regretted their nefarious acts and promised to turn a new leaf.
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 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 thanked Governor Dapo Abiodun, the security agencies and the Sagamu Security Committee for working round the clock to ensure the success of the amnesty deal for the former cultists.
Oba Ajayi begged the residents of Sagamu community to show these repentant cultists love and support and not treat them as outcast
Others at the event were the Special Adviser to Gov Abiodun on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (rtd) the Director of Security Service, 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
