- The Ondo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in community security after several repentant cultists in Ondo City voluntarily surrendered their arms and renounced their membership of rival groups.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, said the initiative was part of the Command’s renewed strategy under Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal to curb violent crimes and strengthen peace across the state.
According to the statement, the Commissioner, alongside the Area Commander and leaders of the Ondo Ekimogun Youths under the End Miscreants in Ondo initiative, supervised the disarmament process, which saw cultists—many of them on the Command’s watchlist—lay down various locally made weapons and ammunition.
The effort, described as historic, also included peace talks between two rival cult groups believed to be behind a series of deadly clashes earlier in the year that claimed eight lives.
The mediation reportedly ended with both sides embracing each other and pledging to end reprisal attacks.
According to the statement, some of the repentant members were said to have expressed relief at leaving cultism behind, revealing that fear of arrest had previously forced them out of the state.
The Command said the renewed trust in the police was a sign that the peace-driven approach was yielding results.
The Commissioner of Police thanked the Ondo Ekimogun Youths and facilitators of the peace process for helping restore calm, while also acknowledging the support of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Adesimbo Kiladejo, Jilo III.
He assured that the Command would intensify pressure on cultists still in hiding to surrender, warning that those who refuse will be arrested.
He also directed that all repentant individuals be enrolled in counselling and mentorship programmes to aid their reintegration.
A total of 17 arms and 12 rounds of ammunition including 9mm rounds, AA cartridges, Beretta pistols and various locally fabricated weapons were submitted during the exercise.