By Desire Emmanuel
Seventeen guns of different types as well as twelve bullets of various capacities were recovered by men of the Ondo State Police Command when some cultists renounced their membership of fraternities and laid down their weapons.
This was disclosed by the command in a statement on Wednesday, November 26, as it said the initiative was through the efforts of the Commissioner of Police as well as some well-meaning individuals in Ondo town.
It was gathered that among those who surrendered their weapons were known faces and individuals who had long been on the command’s trail, many of whom were previously documented for their roles in cult-related activities.
During the exercise, which was described as ‘peace-building initiative,’ the command also mediated between two rival cult groups who had long been at loggerheads and were believed to be responsible for the violent clashes earlier in the year that claimed eight lives.
Also during the exercise, some of the cultists were said to have spoken, expressing relief and satisfaction at finally being free from the burden of cultism.
They were said to have revealed that the fear of arrest by the command forced them to flee the state, but they now feel confident to return and reintegrate into society.
The command wrote: “As part of the day’s achievements, a total of 17 arms and 12 rounds of ammunition—including 9mm rounds and AA cartridges—were submitted. These recovered arms, comprising various grades of locally fabricated weapons and Beretta, further demonstrate the tangible progress being made in ridding the state of illegal firearms.”
However, in order to ensure proper rehabilitation and reintegration of those who laid down their arms, the command said it has directed that they should be enrolled in structured counselling and mentorship programmes that will be handled by its officers.
