By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun on Thursday hinted that the state government is set to engage in talks with all area boys and cult groups in the State, to foster peace.
Dr Olatubosun dropped this hint in Ibadan after a closed door meeting with representatives of the militant groups, including Agbekoya, Odua People’s Congress, Vigilante Group of Nigeria among others in Ibadan.
The Commissioner maintained that Oyo state government, in collaboration with all the militant groups ” is determined to proffer peaceful solutions to the unrest between area boys and cult groups, saying the time to end bloodshed in the State is now.”
Dr. Olatubosun said the meeting was aimed at solving the problem from the root and that the State government will work closely with security agencies and leaders of the militant groups, to meet with the cult sects and mediate between warring parties in the State.
“ The State Executive Council is aware of the activities of cultists and cult groups in the State. We hope to hold a meeting with them. Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde is determined to put a stop to this clash among cult groups and area boys.
Dr Olatubosun added, ” to this end, we in collaboration with all the Militant groups in the State, are taking the message of peace to the den of these cultists.”
” We will try to convince them to be disarmed and return to their homes peacefully. Afterwards, there will be a clampdown on activities of area boys and cult groups who fail to cooperate with us”.
Emphasizing that through the help of some of the militant groups, the State Government will contact members of each cult group, the Commissioner assured that things will change, because the State Governor has shown sincerity in ending the fights among the warring groups.
He then pleaded with the area boys and rival cult groups to sheath their swords and pursue peace, stressing that after the peace talks, there will be a clampdown on cultists and cult activities in the state and that parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against cultism.
