By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Nine youths repentant cultists in Awka, Anambra State have presented themselves to the Agunechemba security outfit, pubicly renouncing their membership and seeking forgiveness.

The Incident is coming on the heels of a recent directive issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Policing, Prince Ken Emeakayi.

He had recently instructed Ag?nechemba operatives to clamp down heavily on cultism and related crimes across the state.

According to a statement by the media and publicity secretary of the security outfit, Nweke Nweke, the repentant youths admitted that their involvement in cultism had brought nothing but shame and consequences they failed to foresee.

One of the cultists who spoke on condition of anonymity said that “We have resolved never to return to Egypt.”

He assured that they have abandoned their old ways, and appealed to everyone they had wronged to forgive them, promising that they would work towards restitution and embrace peace going forward.

The statement recalled that Prince Emeakayi had earlier directed Ag?nechemba operatives to maintain zero tolerance for cultism, stressing that most violent crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, and community-based assaults often stem from cult activities.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Internal Security and Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, commended the repentant youths for taking what he described as a bold and commendable step.

He urged other cultists In the state to emulate them, warning that cultism offers no benefit, but only destroys lives and future.

Hon. Ofodeme, who represents Ekwusigo State Constituency in the state House of Assembly directed the leadership of Ag?nechemba to compile the full profiles of the repentant youths and forward the list to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, for proper documentation and monitoring.

The lawmaker restated the commitment of the State Assembly to supporting initiatives that promote safety, de-escalation of violence, and encouraging the rehabilitation of misguided youths.

The Ag?nechemba Security Outfit further described the development as a welcome boost to the ongoing campaign against violent crime and urged communities to continue providing timely information to help security agencies sustain peace across the state.