Over 1,300 suspected cultists, on Thursday, renounced their membership of various cult groups, in Ogoni area of Rivers State.
Briefing newsmen, in Port Harcourt on the development, President of Ogoni Youth Development Initiative (OYDI), Imeabe Oscar, expressed joy that peace would return to Ogoniland.
Oscar stated that kidnapping and killings had been on the increase in the area.
He disclosed that the repentant cults were camped for days for a re-orientation programme.
His words, “A good number of the cultists have given their lives to God.
“We will also introduce skills acquisition, and other development programmes for this youths, so that they will not go back to their old lives. We also call on the government to help set up new projects for these youths,” Oscar added.
Also, speaking, one of the repentant cultists (name withheld), who recounted his earlier activities before repentance: “I was a terrorist, I go to the federal road to shoot and kill people. I derived joy in terrorising people.
“I have also been in and out of prison. My house was once demolished by the government, but, I did not stop.
“But, after the camp, I decided to turn a new leaf. I must say that I have peace and joy in abundance in this last few months, and my family that rejected me has taken me back.
“I will also go back to preach to other of my colleagues to change and embrace peace, which they have given their consent to change.”
He spoke further: “I also urge students to come back to Ogoni land, because we now have peace and live in peace. We also ask our investors to come back, Ogoni land is whole again, come and continue your business in peace, even to our developers, come back and start a new work in Ogoni. We will welcome you all”.
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