Dozens of youths of Badagry community of Lagos State on Thursday surrendered their arms and ammunition to the Police in the area.
Members of the Eiye and Aiye cult groups renounced their membership at the Badagry West Local Government Headquarters.
Weapons surrendered include AK47, pump action, live rounds, axes, machetes, locally made pistols and SMGs among others.
Speaking, Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, stated that cultism was the biggest recurring problem in Lagos.
“We are making progress. This is a big problem intertwine with drug abuse even to the ridiculous extent of taking it to primary schools and recruiting these children into cultism”, he said.
“I remember the experience at Ikorodu, where over 250 boys and girls of cult groups renounced and surrendered arms after which I urged other communities to emulate Ikorodu’s bold step.
“We have to be more vigilant. The task is not for the police alone, there must be collective and concerted efforts by everyone. Entry and exit into schools must be well-documented.
“The problem of cultism has left our shores. Young Nigerian boys and girls who travelled to India and Malaysia to either study or do business are forming cult groups over there and killing themselves.
“How long are we – parents, leaders, clerics – going to watch this happen? Other communities in Lagos should emulate what’s going on here today. We must join hands to fight this menace
“We call the local government and other relevant bodies concerned to talk to the youths, give them training for us to reintegrate them into the society. Among these youths today are PhD, Bsc, HND and more degree holders of various institutions”.
Executive Chairman, Badagry Local Government, Mr. Onilude Adeniran lamented that cultism was now practised in primary schools.
“Every now and then, my office receives news about cases of drug abuse and cultism in our secondary schools.
“To worsen the case, every street in our cities , towns and even villages seem to belong to one cult group or the other. How did we get here?
“We made up our mind to rid our local government of traces of cultism. Today’s event is a result of weeks of painstaking interactions, negotiations and even sacrifices.
“On our part as administration, we promise to provide all within our means to ensure your rehabilitation into the peace society. We are already taking steps on that.”
In attendance were Oba Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1 and his High Chief, Hundungan Samuel the Agoloto of Badagry, DPO of Seme, Mr. A.A. Smith; DPO of Orogbo Station, Johnson Adagba among others.
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