The Oyo State Government on Thursday said it is set to engage in talks with all area boys and cult groups in the state to foster peace.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, said this after a meeting behind closed doors with representatives of militant groups like Agbekoya and Odua People’s Congress and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
Olatunbosun said the state government, in collaboration with all the militant groups, was determined to proffer peaceful solutions to the unrest between area boys and cult groups, noting that the time to end bloodshed in the state was now.
Speaking further, Olatunbosun said the meeting aimed to solve the problem from the roots, disclosing that the state government would work closely with security agencies and leaders of the militant groups to meet with the cult sects and mediate between warring parties.
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.
“Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, is determined to put a stop to this clash 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 the den of 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.”
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