More than 50 suspected cult members have renounced their membership of different cult groups in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State barely days after the police arrested 10 suspected members of the Neo Black Axe Movement of Africa (NBM), in the community and recovered weapons and other cult-related items.
The renunciation, which took place on August 26, was facilitated by the Abini Uniform Men and Women Association, popularly known as Abini Elite, in collaboration with Laurahope Care and Rescue Foundation.
The development came against the backdrop of growing community concern over cult activities. The Abini community had earlier petitioned the Cross River Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, on July 29, raising the alarm over alleged cult activities in the area.
Following the petition, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2 commenced intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational follow-up, which culminated in the arrest of 10 suspected cult members on August 22.
The suspects, according to the police, were arrested at about 5:15 a.m. during an initiation ceremony in the community.
The police said a locally made pistol, battle axe, dagger, a beret, a pair of police camouflage trousers and a cardigan were recovered during the operation.
The Commissioner of Police commended the VCRU operatives for what he described as the effective deployment of intelligence, saying the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led and community policing in identifying and disrupting criminal activities before they escalate.
He also urged residents of Abini and other communities in the state to continue providing the police with credible and timely information to assist security agencies in preventing crime.
In response to the security concerns, more than 50 individuals said to have belonged to different cult groups publicly renounced their membership during the community-led event.
The event, themed: ‘Abini unite to reject cultism, drugs, rape, theft and other violent crimes,’ was held at the Edodono Village Square last Wednesday.
During the event, the clan head of Abini imposed a ban on cult activities in the community and reportedly enacted traditional penalties for anyone who persists in such behaviour.
The community leadership called for an end to activities capable of threatening peace and security in Abini, while the organisers urged youths to abandon cultism and embrace lawful means of pursuing their aspirations.
The mass renunciation is seen by community stakeholders as an attempt to complement the ongoing security crackdown with a grassroots approach aimed at preventing young people from being recruited into secret cult groups.
The police command said its investigation into the August 22 arrests was ongoing and that efforts had been intensified to apprehend other suspects allegedly connected with the case.
It added that the arrested suspects will be subjected to due process and diligent investigation, stressing that anyone found culpable will face the law.