About 40 youths linked to the Vikings, Klans and Axemen cult groups in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, have renounced cultism and pledged to embrace peaceful and law-abiding lifestyles….
About 40 youths linked to the Vikings, Klans and Axemen cult groups in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, have renounced cultism and pledged to embrace peaceful and law-abiding lifestyles.
The youths made the commitment on August 26 during a sensitisation and engagement programme organised by the Cross River State Police Command in collaboration with the Abini Elites Association and the LauraHope Foundation.
The programme focused on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, unlawful possession of firearms and other social vices.
Representing the Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, the Divisional Police Officer, Yakurr Division, CSP Innocent Ayabotu, urged the youths to reject cultism and criminality and become agents of peace and development in their community.
Some of the youths disclosed during the engagement that they had been deceived or pressured into joining cult groups.
They subsequently renounced their membership, pledged to withdraw from cult-related activities and promised to support peace and security efforts in Abini while encouraging other youths to reject criminal associations.
The police said the development was part of Ordue’s proactive, community-based policing strategy, which focuses on crime prevention, intelligence gathering, community partnership and early intervention to prevent young people from being recruited into criminal networks.
The Commissioner commended traditional rulers, community leaders, the LauraHope Foundation and the youths for their cooperation, stressing that sustainable security required collective responsibility.
The Command assured residents that it would continue to combine intelligence-led enforcement with community engagement and partnership-driven interventions to disrupt criminal activities, protect vulnerable youths and maintain peace across the State.
