Some youths, identified as cultists in Ondo city, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State have voluntarily laid down their arms and renounced membership of the cult groups.

The exercise which token place on Tuesday is organised by youths, under the umbrella body of Ondo Ekimogun Youths, with the involvement of the Police Area Command in the city.

The Public Relations Officer of Ondo State police Command, Olusola Ayanlade, disclosed that the collaborative engagement underscores the role of community partnership in addressing long standing security concerns.

Ayanlade states that: “Significantly, those who surrendered included known faces and individuals who had long been on the Command’s trail, many of whom were previously documented on the Command’s watchlist for their roles in cult-related activities.”

“Their decision to come forward reinforces the growing acceptance of the Command’s peace-driven approach and demonstrates the programme’s effectiveness in dismantling entrenched cult networks.”

The police spokesperson disclosed that the Command also successfully mediated between two rival cult groups/camps, who had long been at loggerheads with each other. Rivalry between the groups had claimed eight lives earlier in the year.

The State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, in his reaction to the development appreciated the Ekimogun Youths and the initiators of the programme for their role in fostering dialogue and stability.

He assured them of the Command’s maximum cooperation and ongoing collaboration, emphasizing that the Police will intensify efforts to encourage other cultists to repent. He reiterated the Command’s resolve to apprehend any individual who choose to persist in criminality.

Ayanlade said: “A total of 17 arms and 12 rounds of ammunition—including 9mm rounds and AA cartridges—were submitted.

“These recovered arms, comprising various grades of locally fabricated weapons and Beretta pistols, further demonstrate the tangible progress being made in ridding the state of illegal firearms.”

Ayanlade noted that the command remains committed towards ensuring peace and adequate security in the state through sustained community engagement, strategic partnerships, and robust, people-centered policing. (CHANNELS)