BY Ochuko Akuopha
THE people of Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, have issued a one week ultimatum to cultists in the community to renounce membership of their cult groups or incur the wrath of the law.
Over 30 of the community’s youths were in the early hours of Tuesday, arrested by the police in a raid on cultists who have been terrorizing the area.
Addressing newsmen shortly after a meeting of the community, Chairman of the Irri Community Development Committee, Mr. Goddey Igorigo blamed the rise in cult activities in the town on the resurgence of youth activities which he said was banned in the aftermath of the crisis which rocked community in 2002.
Reiterating the resolve of the people to stamp out cultism from the community, he said: “We have taken a position that those who indulge cultism activities should renounce from their cult groups because we are totally against cultism in this community; We are going to beg the government to ensure that anyone found to be a cultist is charged to court and face the law.
“We have agreed that we are going to make announcement in the community that anybody who is a cult member should go to the vigilante team who will in turn, take him to the police station. Police will now take him to court where he will renounce his membership. Failure to do that, we as a community will fish them out from wherever they are hiding.”
Also speaking, former President of the community, Mr. Joseph Orogun said the community would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the law takes its full course on those who fail to renounce membership of the cult groups.