By James Ogunnaike

ABEOKUTA —No fewer than 48 members of different secret cult groups in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State have renounced their membership.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, who disclosed this in Sagamu, yesterday, said the repentant cultists also brought their firearms to the police for confiscation.

Weapons submitted by the cultists, who have promised to turn a new leaf, include one pump action gun, four double barrel rifles, seven single barrel guns, two English pistols, four locally made pistols and 35 cartridges.

Speaking during the handing over of the illegal firearms to the Police at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu, Alamutu said the essence of the olive branch being extended to cultists was to give them second chance to become better citizens and begin to contribute towards peaceful coexistence in the state.

He said: “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 kicked off this process where the cultists will come forward, denounce their membership of the cult groups 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 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.”