Ogun to Set Up Special Court, Floats Amnesty Scheme, To Fight Cultists
A special court is to be set up by the Ogun State government, to handle cult-related cases, as part of fresh moves to reduce attacks by cultists across the state.
Also, a joint security task force, comprising the army and other security agencies, is to be established for rapid intervention in cult-related attacks.
Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the fresh measures, after the meeting of the state security council, at the governor’s office, Oke Mosan in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
He also announced a proposed amnesty programme for cultists, who are ready to surrender their weapons, adding that they would not be prosecuted.
The Governor, who presided over the meeting, also said they discussed how to implement the proposed death penalty for convicted cultists in the state.
He also said that there would be an engagement with traditional rulers as part of the multi-faceted approach to ridding the state of cultists.
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The state in the past months, has been facing a spate of attacks by cultists, mostly members of Eiye and Aye confraternity, who engaged themselves in bloody rivalry clashes.
Scores of cultists and innocent people had been killed in the clashes.
In the fresh attacks in Sagamu, eight persons were killed in two days of reprisal attacks by cultists in the town.
Abiodun said: “During the Joint Security meeting that took place today (Wednesday), we engaged in fruitful discussions regarding the implementation of measures aimed at combating cultism in Ogun State.
“Our primary focus was on establishing a special court, forming a joint operational force comprising various security agencies, and implementing a death penalty for cultism offences.
“In addition to these measures, we also deliberated on the possibility of introducing a period of amnesty. This would allow individuals who wish to surrender their weapons and renounce their affiliation with any cult-related groups and activities the opportunity to do so without fear of prosecution”.
