Women and young girls of Idjerhe community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State have declared their readiness to hand over any youth involved in killings linked to cult rivalry to the police and other security agencies.
The women, who staged a peaceful protest on Saturday, said the action became necessary following the recent murder of four persons in a renewed cult clash within the community.
During the protest, they warned that the era of shielding perpetrators is over, insisting that the youths must renounce their involvement in cult groups to prevent further bloodshed.
They said the earlier the youths renounce their membership of cult groups, the better for them.
They noted that as a result of cult activities in the community, some women have become widows with children left fatherless.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop killing each other. We are one,” “Wives are becoming widows,” “We need peace in Jesse,” and “Our children are becoming fatherless,” the women marched through major streets in Idjerhe, chanting solidarity songs and calling for peace.
They stressed that they would no longer tolerate killings tied to cult activities.
“If we catch anyone killing a fellow Idjerhe youth because of cult matters, we will invite the police and other security agents to arrest and prosecute you so that we can have our peace. Enough is enough.”
The women urged the youths to heed their warning, saying the community had buried too many of its young men already.
They also prayed for divine intervention and lasting peace in the land.