About 40 youths in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, have renounced membership of the Vikings, Klans and Axemen cult groups.
The youths made the commitment on August 26, 2026, during a sensitisation and engagement programme organised by the Cross River State Police Command.
The programme was held in collaboration with the Abini Elites Association, AEA, and LauraHope Foundation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday.
Eitokpah described the development as a major breakthrough in the command’s community-based crime prevention strategy.
He said the initiative was being implemented under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue.
According to him, the 40 youths associated with the three cult groups voluntarily renounced their membership.
He said they also pledged to adopt peaceful and law-abiding lifestyles.
The sensitisation programme focused on the dangers associated with cultism, drug abuse and unlawful possession of firearms.
Other social vices capable of threatening peace and security in the community were also discussed.
Ordue, represented by the Divisional Police Officer of Yakurr Division, CSP Innocent Ayabotu, urged the youths to reject criminal activities.
He encouraged them to channel their energy towards activities that would promote peace and development in Abini.
“Our engagement is focused on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, unlawful possession of firearms and other social vices.
“I want to urge youths to reject criminality and become agents of peace and development in their community,” he said.
The commissioner said the initiative formed part of the command’s broader crime prevention and intelligence-gathering strategies.
He explained that the approach was aimed at addressing factors that contribute to youth recruitment into criminal networks.
Ordue added that the programme was consistent with the command’s intelligence-led and community-oriented policing strategy.
He commended the traditional rulers, Abini Elites Association, LauraHope Foundation and the participating youths for their cooperation.
The commissioner stressed that sustainable security could only be achieved through collective responsibility.
He said the police would continue combining enforcement with preventive measures and strategic community engagement.
Ordue urged the youths to maintain their commitment to peaceful living and become positive contributors to the development of their community.
The development, he said, demonstrated the importance of community partnerships in preventing crime and addressing youth involvement in cult-related activities.
