By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Nine youths identified as members of various cult groups in Anambra State have publicly renounced their membership and sought forgiveness after voluntarily presenting themselves to the leadership of Agụnechemba Security Outfit in Awka.
Their appearance followed the recent directive issued by Prince Ken Emeakayi, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Policing, instructing Agụnechemba operatives to clamp down heavily on cultism and related crimes across the state.
The remorseful youths visited the Agụnechemba headquarters at Lion Building, Awka, where they expressed regret for their past involvement in cult activities and pledged to turn a new leaf. Their parents were also in attendance to witness what the group described as the beginning of their reintegration into society.
This development was contained in a statement issued in Awka by the Media Publicity Secretary of Agụnechemba, Comrade Nweke Nweke, who confirmed that the meeting took place on Wednesday as part of the ongoing efforts to curb cult-related violence in the state.
According to the statement, the repentant youths admitted that their involvement in cultism had brought nothing but shame and consequences they failed to foresee. One of them, anonymously speaking on behalf of the group, said they had resolved never to “return to Egypt,” a metaphor for abandoning their old ways, and appealed to everyone they had wronged to forgive them. He also promised that they would work towards restitution and embrace peace going forward.
The statement further recalled that Prince Emeakayi had earlier directed Agụnechemba operatives to maintain zero tolerance for cultism, stressing that most violent crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, and community-based assaults often stem from cult activities.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Internal Security and Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, commended the repentant youths for taking what he described as a bold and commendable step. He urged other cultists in the state to emulate them, warning that cultism offers no benefit and only destroys lives and futures.
Hon. Ofodeme, who represents Ekwusigo State Constituency in the House, also directed the leadership of Agụnechemba to compile the full profiles of the repentant youths and forward the list to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, for proper documentation and monitoring.
He restated the commitment of the State Assembly to supporting initiatives that promote safety, de-escalate violence, and encourage the rehabilitation of misguided youths.
The Agụnechemba Security Outfit described the development as a welcome boost to the ongoing campaign against violent crime and urged communities to continue providing timely information to help security agencies sustain peace across the state.
