40 CROSS RIVER YOUTHS ABANDON CULTISM, COMMIT TO PEACE AFTER POLICE OUTREACH

About 40 youths in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, have renounced their membership of cult groups and pledged to embrace peaceful and law-abiding lifestyles.

The youths, who were associated with the Vikings, Klans and Axemen groups, made the commitment during a sensitisation and engagement programme organised by the Cross River State Police Command in partnership with the Abini Elites Association and the LauraHope Foundation.

The programme, held on August 26, focused on the dangers associated with cultism, drug abuse, illegal possession of firearms and other forms of criminality capable of threatening peace and security within the community.

Representing the Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, the Divisional Police Officer of the Yakurr Division, CSP Innocent Ayabotu, urged the youths to distance themselves from cult-related activities and other criminal behaviour.

Ayabotu encouraged the participants to become positive agents of development and peace in their communities, stressing the importance of young people contributing to efforts to maintain security.

During the engagement, some of the youths reportedly revealed that they had been deceived or pressured into joining cult groups.

Following the intervention, they formally renounced their involvement and promised to stay away from cult-related activities while supporting efforts to improve peace and security in Abini.

The youths also pledged to discourage other young people from joining criminal groups and associations, signalling their willingness to participate in efforts aimed at reducing cult-related violence in the community.

The police described the development as part of the command's proactive and community-based approach to tackling crime in Cross River State.

According to the command, the strategy combines crime prevention, intelligence gathering, community partnerships and early intervention to prevent vulnerable young people from being recruited into criminal networks.

The Commissioner of Police commended the traditional rulers, community leaders, the LauraHope Foundation and the youths for their cooperation in the initiative.

He emphasised that achieving sustainable security would require the collective efforts of law-enforcement agencies, community leaders, civil society organisations and residents.

The police command assured residents that it would continue to combine intelligence-led operations with community engagement and partnerships to disrupt criminal activities, protect vulnerable youths and strengthen peace across Cross River State.