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Oyo govt set to hold peace talks with ‘area boys’, cult groups to tackle insecurity

By Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan
18 February 2022   |   4:01 am
The Oyo State Government has said that it is set to engage in conversations with non-state actors, including all ‘area boys’ and cult groups in the state to foster peace and tranquility.

Urges parents, guardians to caution their children, wards against cultism
The Oyo State Government has said that it is set to engage in conversations with non-state actors, including all ‘area boys’ and cult groups in the state to foster peace and tranquility.

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

Olatunbosun said the state government, in collaboration with all the militant groups, had 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.

The commissioner said the meeting was aimed to solve the problem from the root, disclosing that the government would 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.

Olatunbosun, who noted that through the help of some of the militant groups, the state government would contact members of each cult group, also assured that things would change because the state governor has shown sincerity in ending the fights among the warring groups.

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

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

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