70 Youths Renounce Cultism, Surrender Arms In Ekiti

Over 70 members of various cult groups in Ikere-Ekiti, the headquarters of Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State have renounced membership of their groups and surrender arms.

The traditional ruler of the community, Oba Adejimi Adu who disclosed this on Wednesday in his palace, said that the voluntary renunciation was a result of the adoption of traditional strategies by the community.

Oba Adu said that the traditional means which paid off was devised following the constant failure of the Police and other security agencies to checkmate the activities of the cultists in the town.

He noted that the incessant cult clash in the town which had claimed 12 person lives in recent times prompted Ogoga-in-Council to organize a renunciation programme with a promise not to arrest or prosecute anyone.

The monarch said that 70 cultists from different secret groups had voluntarily renounced membership and swear to an oath, adding that more members have contacted him with a promise to follow suit.

“I am happy to tell you that over 70 cultists had renounced membership of their groups and they have been taken through the traditional oath in which case if you take the oath and you go back to such you will answer to our ancestors.

“When will found that it’s like we don’t have police and other security agencies to assist despite police presence in the town, we have to result to our traditional ways of curbing this thing. We offered prayer to the owner of this land. And thank God we have seen the results.

“I want to appeal to those who have yet to come out and renounce cultism as their colleagues have done. We won’t rest on our oars until we wipe cultists out of our community,” Oba Adu said.

He attributed the increasing level of cult activities in the state, most especially his domain to youth unemployment, urging well-meaning Ekiti sons and daughters to create job opportunities in the kingdom to complement the government’s efforts.

The monarch added that poor parental upbringing, devaluation of moral values and drug abuse was also responsible for youths’ involvement in the heinous acts, saying most parents had neglected their responsibilities.

Oba Adu called on parents to inculcate moral values and give good examples to their children early in life before they will be exposed to the influence of peer groups.

He, therefore, implored the other cultists to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the town to come out renounce the deadly groups and engage in productive activities.