A 29-year-old aspiring musician has voluntarily renounced his membership of a cult group and surrendered a Beretta pistol to security authorities in Edo State after listening to an anti-cultism message by the acting Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Blessing Ebhodaghe.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele.
According to the statement, the Zonal Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Joel Aidamebor, said the incident followed a security alert from Ebhodaghe after he heard suspicious noises from a school near his residence.
Aidamebor said the chairman immediately alerted the Edo State Security Corps, which in turn contacted the police. Security operatives responded, arrested several young men and took them to the police station for questioning.
He added that some of those arrested were later released after investigations.
The statement said Ebhodaghe subsequently met with the youths and advised them to stay away from cultism, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
It added that shortly after the meeting, one of the young men approached the chairman and expressed his intention to leave his cult group.
“The chairman immediately informed the Edo State Security Corps and the Divisional Police Officer. The young man then voluntarily surrendered a Beretta pistol in his possession,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the suspect and the firearm were subsequently taken to Benin City, where the pistol was formally handed over to the police.
The statement described the decision to renounce cultism as commendable and urged other cult members across the state to embrace lawful living by abandoning criminal groups.
It also reiterated the Edo State Government’s commitment under Governor Monday Okpebholo to tackling cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
The statement said Ebhodaghe appealed to young people involved in cult activities to follow the same path by giving up crime and embracing a better future.
The 29-year-old, who identified himself as an aspiring musician, said he had no regrets about leaving the cult group.
“He said he decided to renounce cultism after listening to Ebhodaghe’s message to residents on the dangers of cultism and other social vices during a recent visit to his community,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the chairman’s appeal made him reflect on his life and resolve to change. It added that he informed a friend of his decision before surrendering the Beretta pistol to the authorities.
Explaining why he chose to hand over the firearm rather than dispose of it elsewhere, the statement said, “The young man said he chose not to sell or hand the firearm to anyone because he feared it could be used to commit crimes that might later be traced to him.”
The statement added that Governor Okpebholo encouraged the former cult member to use his experience to persuade other youths to abandon cultism.
“He also said Gov. Okpebholo encouraged him to use his experience to persuade other youths to abandon cultism. According to him, the governor also encouraged him after learning that he was pursuing a career in music,” the statement read.
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