A 29-year-old Edo man has renounced cultism and surrendered a Beretta pistol after community intervention, as security officials urge others to abandon crime.
A 29-year-old man in Edo State has voluntarily walked away from cultism and surrendered a Beretta pistol to security authorities in what officials have described as a positive example of rehabilitation and community engagement in the fight against violent crime.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Zonal Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Joel Aidamebor, during a media briefing in Benin City.
According to him, the incident stemmed from a security operation initiated after suspicious activities were reported in Esan West Local Government Area.
Aidamebor explained that the Acting Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Blessing Ebhodaghe, alerted security agencies after hearing unusual noises from a school situated close to his residence.
Concerned about the possibility of criminal activity, the council chairman immediately contacted the Edo State Security Corps, which then collaborated with the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the situation.
Security personnel quickly responded to the report, leading to the arrest of several young men found around the area.
The suspects were taken to a nearby police station, where they underwent questioning as part of the investigation.
However, following preliminary findings, some of those arrested were released after authorities found no evidence linking them to any criminal offence.
Rather than allowing the incident to end with the arrests, Ebhodaghe reportedly decided to engage directly with the youths in the community.
During the interaction, he urged them to reject cultism, armed robbery, drug abuse and other criminal activities capable of destroying their future.
He encouraged them to pursue legitimate means of earning a living and become responsible members of society.
According to Aidamebor, the meeting had an immediate impact on one of the young men present.
Shortly after the discussion, the 29-year-old privately approached the council chairman and declared that he wanted to renounce his membership of a cult group.
The security commander said the chairman immediately informed the Edo State Security Corps and the Divisional Police Officer about the development.
The young man subsequently handed over a Beretta pistol that had been in his possession, demonstrating what officials described as genuine commitment to abandoning his criminal past.
Aidamebor noted that both the suspect and the recovered firearm were later taken to Benin City, where the weapon was formally transferred to the police for documentation and further investigation in line with legal procedures.
He praised the young man’s decision, describing it as a courageous step that should inspire other youths trapped in cult groups to embrace peace and lawful living.
According to him, genuine repentance and cooperation with security agencies remain important tools in reducing crime across the state.
The commander also reaffirmed the determination of the Edo State Government, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, to sustain efforts aimed at combating cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes threatening public safety.
He said security agencies would continue to work closely with local communities to encourage intelligence sharing and promote preventive policing.
Acting Chairman Blessing Ebhodaghe also confirmed the sequence of events and appealed to young people still involved in cult-related activities to learn from the incident.
He stressed that abandoning crime remains one of the best decisions any young person can make, adding that communities become safer when residents choose dialogue over violence.
Speaking about his decision, the 29-year-old, who identified himself as an aspiring musician, said he did not regret leaving the cult group behind.
He explained that Ebhodaghe’s message during the community engagement forced him to reflect on the direction of his life and the consequences of remaining involved in criminal activities.
According to him, the chairman’s appeal touched him deeply and convinced him that he still had an opportunity to rebuild his future.
Before surrendering the firearm, he informed one of his friends about his decision to quit the cult group permanently.
The young man further disclosed that he deliberately refused to sell the Beretta pistol or hand it over to another person because he feared it could eventually be used to commit violent crimes.
He said he wanted to ensure the weapon was removed completely from circulation rather than becoming another instrument of insecurity.
He also revealed that Governor Monday Okpebholo encouraged him to remain focused on his new path and use his personal experience to persuade other young people to reject cultism.
According to him, the governor expressed support for his ambition of pursuing a career in music and advised him to channel his energy into developing his talent instead of returning to crime.
The incident highlights the growing emphasis on combining security operations with community engagement as part of broader efforts to address cult-related violence in Edo State.
While law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on criminal networks, authorities believe that rehabilitation, mentorship and positive community leadership can also play a crucial role in discouraging youths from joining or remaining in cult groups.
Security officials expressed hope that similar voluntary surrenders would encourage more individuals involved in criminal activities to cooperate with authorities, helping to reduce the circulation of illegal weapons and improve public safety across the state.
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