Cultists surrender arms, ammunition in Badagry [PHOTO]

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.