The Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has proposed amnesty for cultists and individuals in possession of illegal arms and ammunition.
Okpebholo admonished them to renounce and surrender themselves to authorities in exchange for the amnesty.
He stated this during a meeting with the leaders of Obagie, Oke-Oroma, and Amagba communities over land and insecurity concerns in Benin City.
The governor noted: “A major component of the amnesty programme will include skills acquisition and empowerment programme in order to make them useful to themselves and to the society on the long run.
“A technical committee would be inaugurated to handle the restitution of cult members and criminally-minded youth in a bid to reduce the menace of violent crime including kidnapping.”
Okpebholo expressed his administration’s resolve to develop the proposed new city around the communities.