Young Musician Leaves Cult and Hands Over Gun in Edo

A 29-year-old musician has left his cult group and handed over a Beretta pistol to security officials in Edo State. He made this decision after hearing an anti-cultism message from Blessing Ebhodaghe, the acting Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area.

This information came to light in a statement released on Friday by Patrick Ebojele, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.

In the statement, Joel Aidamebor, the Zonal Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, explained that the young man's actions followed a security alert from Ebhodaghe. The chairman heard strange noises coming from a school close to his home.

Aidamebor reported that Ebhodaghe quickly contacted the Edo State Security Corps, which then reached out to the police. Security agents responded and arrested several young men for questioning.

Some of those arrested were later released after investigations.

After this, Ebhodaghe spoke with the youths. He advised them to avoid cultism, armed robbery, and other crimes. Shortly after, one of the young men approached the chairman, saying he wanted to leave 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 suspect and the gun were later taken to Benin City, where police formally received the firearm. The statement praised the young man for renouncing cultism and urged other cult members in the state to change their ways and leave criminal groups.

It also highlighted the Edo State Government’s promise, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, to fight cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.

Ebhodaghe asked young people involved in cult activities to make similar choices and choose a better future.

The 29-year-old, who now calls himself an aspiring musician, expressed that he has no regrets about his decision.

“He said he decided to renounce cultism after listening to Ebhodaghe’s message to residents about the dangers of cultism and other social problems during a recent visit to his community,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the chairman’s message made him think about his life and want to change. He shared his decision with a friend before giving the Beretta pistol to the authorities.

When asked why he chose to hand over the firearm instead of getting rid of it, the statement said, “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 also included that Governor Okpebholo encouraged the former cult member to share his story. He wants to help other youths leave cultism.

“He also said Gov. Okpebholo encouraged him to use his experience to persuade other youths to abandon cultism. According to him, the governor also supported him after learning that he was pursuing a career in music,” the statement read.