There
was a mild drama at Imota, Lagos State, on Wednesday, as some youths smoked a
substance suspected to be Indian hemp to celebrate their cultism renunciation.
The
act was observed by Punch correspondent shortly after the state Acting
Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, addressed the press in company with the
two former leaders of the Eye and Aiye confraternities.
The
renunciation was held at the palace of Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade
Bakare-Agoro, and was presided over by Imohimi, who displayed guns, cutlasses
and axes recovered from the residents.
The
youths moved around the community, displaying banners with the inscriptions,
‘Say no to crime, drug abuse and cultism’ and ‘Say no to crime, rape, stealing
and cultism.’
The
two groups also chanted their respective fraternal songs and exchanged occult
pleasantries after the renunciation.
Earlier,
while speaking to journalists, Imohimi said the renunciation was the outcome of
the state police command’s emphasis on community policing.
He
recalled that a similar event was held at Ijede, Ikorodu recently, where about
500 persons renounced cultism, urging other communities in the state to follow
suit.
The
CP said, “Over 120 youths have voluntarily renounced cultism and handed over
their weapons to the police. The significant thing about this process is not the
number of those renouncing cultism or the quantity of arms they tendered. What
is most significant is that a process has started, whereby the youths
themselves are now indicating interest not only to renounce cultism and other
forms of crime, but also to take up vocational jobs and be integrated back into
the society as responsible men and women. Their profiles will be taken and rest
assured that this process is credible."
The
ex-leader of the Aye Confraternity, Joseph Fasasi, said they decided to turn a
new leaf following entreaties by the monarch and other community leaders.
He
promised that the two groups would henceforth maintain peace in the
neighbourhood.
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