Twenty-nine-year-old aspiring musician abandons cult membership after anti-cultism campaign, as Edo Government urges more youths to embrace lawful living

A 29-year-old aspiring musician has taken a remarkable step towards a new beginning after voluntarily abandoning his cult membership and surrendering a Beretta pistol to security authorities in Edo State, following an anti-cultism campaign led by the acting Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Blessing Ebhodaghe.

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The development, announced on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, has been presented by the state government as a sign that sustained community engagement can encourage young people to turn away from violent crime and embrace lawful opportunities.

According to the statement, the events began after Ebhodaghe heard suspicious noises from a school located near his residence and immediately alerted the Edo State Security Corps.

The corps’ Zonal Commander, Joel Aidamebor, said the security agency swiftly contacted the Nigeria Police Force, leading to a joint operation during which several young men were arrested and taken to a police station for questioning.

Following investigations, some of those detained were released.

Rather than ending the intervention with the arrests, Ebhodaghe reportedly met with the youths and appealed to them to reject cultism, armed robbery and other forms of criminality, encouraging them instead to build productive lives.

The conversation soon produced an unexpected outcome.

According to the statement, one of the young men later approached the council chairman privately and disclosed his intention to withdraw from his cult group.

“The chairman immediately informed the Edo State Security Corps and the Divisional Police Officer. The young man then voluntarily surrendered a Beretta pistol in his possession,” the statement said.

The firearm and the suspect were subsequently taken to Benin City, where the pistol was formally handed over to the police for further investigation and documentation.

The former cult member, who identified himself as an aspiring musician, said listening to Ebhodaghe’s message on the dangers of cultism prompted him to reflect deeply on the direction of his life.

According to the statement, he informed one of his friends of his decision before handing over the weapon to security agencies.

Explaining why he chose to surrender the pistol instead of disposing of it elsewhere, the statement said the young man believed selling or transferring the firearm could expose innocent people to danger.

“The young man said he chose not to sell or hand the firearm to anyone because he feared it could be used to commit crimes that might later be traced to him,” the statement added.

The Edo State Government described the decision as encouraging and urged other young people involved in cult activities to follow the same path by renouncing criminal groups and cooperating with security agencies.

The government also reaffirmed its determination to combat cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s security agenda.

According to the statement, Governor Okpebholo commended the former cult member for choosing a different path and encouraged him to use his personal experience to persuade others to abandon cultism.

The governor also offered words of encouragement after learning that the 29-year-old was pursuing a career in music, expressing hope that his talent could become a positive influence on other young people.

Cult-related violence has remained one of the major security challenges confronting parts of Edo State in recent years, with rival groups frequently linked to fatal clashes and other criminal activities.

In response, successive administrations have intensified enforcement operations while expanding public awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging youth involvement in secret cults.

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State authorities say community engagement, alongside law enforcement, remains central to reducing recruitment into cult groups and creating safer communities across Edo.