Insecurity: Oyo Govt Holds Peace Talks with Area Boys, Cult Groups

The Oyo State Government has revealed it’s plan to engage in talks with area boys and cult groups in the state to foster peace.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun disclosed this on Thursday, after a closed door meeting with the representatives of some militant groups, including Agbekoya, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Vigilante Group of Nigeria among others in Ibadan.

Olatunbosun said that the state government, in collaboration with all the militant groups in the state, is determined to proffer peaceful solutions to the unrest between area boys and cult groups, saying that the time to end bloodshed in the state is now.

Speaking further, Dr. Olatunbosun said that the meeting aimed to solve the problems from the root, adding that the state government would work closely with security agencies and leaders of the militant groups, meet with the cult sects and mediate among the warring parties in the state.

He said “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.”

“The Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, is determined to put a stop to the constant clashes among cult groups and area boys.

“To this end, we in collaboration with all the militant groups in the state, are taking the message of peace to these cultists.

“We will try to convince them to be disarmed and return to their homes peacefully. Afterwards, there will be a clampdown on the activities of area boys and cult groups who fail to cooperate with us,” he said.

Olatunbosun said that the state government will contact members of the cult groups, and assured that things will change, and stressed that the Governor has shown sincerity in ending the fights among the warring groups.

He therefore admonished the area boys and rival cult groups to sheath their swords and pursue peace, adding that after the peace talks, there will be a clampdown on cultists and cult activities in the state.

He also appealed to parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against cultism.

-Kunle Bakare.