Wale Jagun
Over 100 suspected cult members of two notorious confraternities on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 renounced membership of their respective cult groups.
The repentant cultists also surrendered their arms to the Lagos State Police Command.
In attendance during the exercise which held at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota in Ikorodu division were Hon. Saka Nurudeen Solaja, member representing Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Wasiu Agoro, Chairman of Imota Local Council Development(LCDA), traditional chiefs and others.
There are also Mr Lanre Olabinjo and Mr Olaekan Pelumi, leaders of the local vigilance group in Ikorodu division, Onyabo Vigilance Group that is responsible for the peace talk among the cult groups.
According to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgar, the repentant cultist would be empowered and reintegrate back into the society.
“The boys would be reintegrated into the society after being empowered with various skills,” the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi said.
According to the police chief, the initiative was powered by One Bakers Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, his chiefs and local government chairman.
He said, “The importance of this denouncement is not those who are renouncing it. What is significant is that the process has started, where youths indicate interest not only to renounce cultism willingly, but to take up jobs and skills.”
Edgal, however, added that he was expecting a situation where more youths would renounce cultism and surrender their arms, adding that when this happens, there would be less crime and less arms in circulation.
The leader of Eiye Cult, Joseph Fasasi lamented the aftermath of killings and wars.
He said, “I am an indigene of this town – Imota. I have realised that cultism does not pay. It doesn’t allow development of my town. So, I decided to make peace with other cult heads.”
He said they no longer wanted war. “We don’t want killings. When we fight, non indigenes run away. They have a place to run to. But, I don’t. My parents are from this land.”
Having visited other towns and seen the level of development, Fasasi said he craves for development of his town.
The leader of Aiye cult, Bolaji – known as Spirit shook hands with Fasasi, hugged and partied together with other members of their cults after undergoing spiritual cleansing in the traditional way.
The two cult groups, known as the most dangerous confraternities in Ikorodu division, lauded the Lagos Police, the Oba and the Chiefs for agreeing to reform them and accept them back into the society.
Hon. Solaja speaking during the renunciation exercise in Imota, he
lauded the efforts of the police chief, Oba Agoro and the council chairman in reintegrating the repentant cultists.
The efforts to make the deadly cult groups embrace peace started in Ikorodu when about 200 Cultists renounced their membership of Eiye, Aiye and other confraternities at the Ayangbure palace in Ikorodu.
Similar exercises had also taken place at the Adeboruwa’s palace in Igbogbo, Ogijo and Ijede.