Aspiring musician renounces cultism, surrenders beretta pistol to Edo Security Corps

A 29-year-old aspiring musician has voluntarily renounced his membership of a secret cult and surrendered a Beretta pistol to the Edo State Security Corps in what authorities have described as a major breakthrough in the state’s ongoing campaign against cult-related violence.

The young man, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, handed over the firearm to security operatives in Esan West Local Government Area after expressing his desire to abandon criminal activities and begin a new chapter focused on his music career.

The surrender came amid intensified anti-cultism operations across Edo State, where security agencies have stepped up efforts to dismantle violent cult groups and encourage members willing to renounce crime to surrender their weapons.

Speaking on the development, the Zonal Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Joel Aidamebor, said the incident began after the Chairman of Esan West Local Government reported hearing suspicious movements around a community school located close to his residence.

According to Aidamebor, security personnel were preparing to investigate the report when the young man approached the council chairman and disclosed his intention to leave the cult group permanently.

He said the local government chairman immediately alerted the Edo State Security Corps and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who jointly received the repentant cult member and took custody of the firearm.

Aidamebor described the surrender as a positive outcome of the government’s sustained sensitisation and enforcement efforts aimed at tackling cultism and other violent crimes across the state.

The former cult member reportedly told security officials that his passion for music influenced his decision to abandon the criminal lifestyle. He explained that he wanted to pursue a legitimate career without the constant fear of violent reprisals, arrest or death associated with cult activities.

He also attributed his decision to the Edo State Government’s renewed crackdown on cult groups, saying recent warnings by Governor Monday Okpebholo convinced him that the authorities were determined to eliminate criminal networks operating within the state.

According to the security commander, the young man expressed no regrets over leaving the cult group and appealed for an opportunity to rebuild his life through music.

The voluntary surrender comes as security agencies continue coordinated operations against cultism across several parts of Edo State. In recent weeks, operatives have recovered firearms and arrested suspected cult members during separate raids in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, and Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area.

Authorities say the operations are part of a broader strategy to reduce violent clashes between rival cult groups, improve public safety and curb the proliferation of illegal firearms.

The Edo State Security Corps reiterated that while the government remains committed to prosecuting individuals involved in violent crimes, it is also willing to support genuine efforts by repentant cult members who voluntarily surrender their weapons and renounce criminal activities.

Security officials urged other youths involved in cultism and related crimes to take advantage of the opportunity to embrace lawful means of livelihood, assuring them that those who genuinely seek rehabilitation and reintegration into society would be treated in accordance with the law.