The administration of Governor Seriake Dickson said it was
working out modalities to grant amnesty to cultists willing to renounce their
membership of cult groups in Bayelsa State.
working out modalities to grant amnesty to cultists willing to renounce their
membership of cult groups in Bayelsa State.
The government said cultists genuinely willing to shun cultism
should register their names and offer other relevant information about
themselves at the office of the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society.
should register their names and offer other relevant information about
themselves at the office of the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary,
CPS, to the governor, Daniel Iworiso- Markson, the proposed amnesty also
applies to cultists in tertiary institutions.
CPS, to the governor, Daniel Iworiso- Markson, the proposed amnesty also
applies to cultists in tertiary institutions.
The statement indicated that the registration exercise would
last between March 20 and April 5, excluding weekends. Cult-related activities
have generated anxiety among residents of the state capital, Yenagoa, and the
Niger Delta University, NDU, Amassoma, as no fewer than 20 youths have been
killed in the last three months.
last between March 20 and April 5, excluding weekends. Cult-related activities
have generated anxiety among residents of the state capital, Yenagoa, and the
Niger Delta University, NDU, Amassoma, as no fewer than 20 youths have been
killed in the last three months.
About three weeks ago, a first year student of Delta State
University, Abraka, was butchered by a rival group at Agudama- Epie, Yenagoa.
University, Abraka, was butchered by a rival group at Agudama- Epie, Yenagoa.
The victim simply identified as Sunny was said to have visited
Yenagoa from school that weekend to collect his feeding allowance from his
mother.
Yenagoa from school that weekend to collect his feeding allowance from his
mother.
The statement issued by the CPS reads in part: “Government is
therefore, calling on cult members to take advantage of this window of
opportunity created to turn a new leaf and do something meaningful with their
lives.
therefore, calling on cult members to take advantage of this window of
opportunity created to turn a new leaf and do something meaningful with their
lives.
“To demonstrate government’s commitment to this project, His
Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State will meet
with all repentant cultists at a later date to discuss and arrange for proper
security of their lives as well as ways to engage and empower them.
Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State will meet
with all repentant cultists at a later date to discuss and arrange for proper
security of their lives as well as ways to engage and empower them.
“As part of a genuine plan to carry every dedicated and
law-abiding youth along in its new youth empowerment strategy, through training
and engagement programmes, the Bayelsa State Government, under the auspices of
the office of the Special Adviser on Security and Senior Special Assistant to
the Governor on Civil Society is proposing amnesty for prospective renounced
cult members in the state.”
law-abiding youth along in its new youth empowerment strategy, through training
and engagement programmes, the Bayelsa State Government, under the auspices of
the office of the Special Adviser on Security and Senior Special Assistant to
the Governor on Civil Society is proposing amnesty for prospective renounced
cult members in the state.”
Source:
National Mirror
National Mirror
