Not less than 200 cultists who have been terrorizing residence of Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, have renounced their membership of various notorious groups in the state.

The state Commissioner for Police, Mr. Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, who paraded the suspects before Governor Udom Emmanuel during a reconciliation and rehabilitation visit to the local government areas on Tuesday, said that this was the fourth time the Governor visited the areas for a peace-seeking mission.

He thanked the Governor for his magnanimity, exemplary leadership quality and good heart in forgiving the culprits who have committed various atrocities including murder, rape, armed robbery, arson, kidnapping, etc, have decided to turn a new live as they are ready for disarmament, reconciliation, capacity building and rehabilitation in order to become useful citizens of the state.

Governor Emmanuel, while addressing the hoodlums, blamed the underdevelopment currently witnessed in the Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo on their activities, stating that no contractor would be willing to work in areas where there is no peace.

The Governor cited an instance where he wanted to bring a World Bank project to the Ukanafun but the contractors chose somewhere else instead because of the activities of cultists in the area.

Governor Emmanuel however assured them of safety for the fact that they have surrendered their weapons and embraced peace, and urged Overcomer and other leaders who to follow suit between now and Thursday morning or face the full wrath of the law.

Speaking on behave of the culprits, Faith Friday Benson alias Fine Face from Etim Ekpo, thanked the Governor for his relentless effort to restore peace in Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo in particular and the state at large, and assured that they have shunned violence and embraced peace, and prayed for forgiveness as they operated under darkness.

The hoodlums are Mentor Monday, Tendom Jonah, Stainless, Enebong Sunday Akpan, Ubong Mark alias Small Shit, Gospel Long John (Jimnas), Saviour Oketeh (Point & Kill), Goodluck Innocent Monday (Small DPO), Kufre Joshua (Lagos Boy), and Victor Frank Akpan (Akpan Prophet).

Others are Uwakmfon (Owo akan owo), Samuel Udoh Akpan (Exhibit), Victor Sunday (Fine Doctor), Silvia Dickson (Pursue no cash), Etieno Joseph Akpan, James Akpan (Armorer), Ebukmfon Okon (Ekpoho), Godknows (Calisto), Emediong, Utomobong Sunday (Small Money), Respect, Owoidohoabsi Ime (Arrow Destroyer), Itorobong Sunday Stephen (Arrow Mopol), and Kingsley Silas (Wise Man).

They hail from various villages in Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo including Ikot Udobia, Idung Aneke, Ikot Etim, Ododiong, Afaha Abo.

By Ima Akpabio