At least 16 cultists in Rivers State have relinquished membership of their cult groups.
One AK-47 rifle, one pump action gun and three machetes were also surrendered by the repentant cultists.
Ebere Amaraizu, the National Police Campaign Coordinator Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), said this in a statement made in Enugu Saturday.
Mr Amaraizu, a chief police superintendent, said the renunciation was made Friday at Rumuokani in Rivers State’s Emohua Local Government Area.
He said the repentant cultists were leaders of cult groups of Iceland and Degbam.
He said that by renouncing their membership and surrendering weapons they accepted peace to become better citizens and contribute to nation building.
Mr Amaraizu said other heads of security agencies, POCACOV Rivers State coordinator, community leaders and other stakeholders also witnessed the event.
“Ten suspected members of Degbam cult and 6 suspected members of Iceland cult denounced their membership at Rumuokani community in Emeohua Local Government Area of Rivers States.
“They embraced peace and surrendered one AK-47 rifle, one pump action gun and three matchetes.
“They made a firm promise not to look back,’’ the POCACOV national coordinator said.
POCACOV is an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, meant to prevent the youth from joining cultism.
The initiative offered olive branch to repentant ones with a view to making them better citizens.
On June 12 at least 68 members of the two cult groups had renounced their membership and surrendered their arms in the state’s local government area in Ogbakiri community in Emohua.
