The youths who came out en­masse to denounce cultism also surrendered different kinds of guns and other weapons were touched by the efforts of the clergyman and Gokana Peace Ambassadors in re­storing peace in the area.

The cultists had on different occasions refused to submit their arms to the amnesty committee set up the state government, feigning that they do not have guns.

Their acceptance to the plea to repent was achieved through the intervention of Gokana Peace Ambassadors and clergymen in the area who went into the creeks to preach peace to the cultists.

One of the repentant cultists who spoke to newsmen, Denbesi Isaac, said they decided to lay down their arms because they were tired of living in hiding in their own land.

Isaac called on the state govern­ment to join efforts with the Chris­tian community and the Gokana Peace Ambassadors to ensure ad­equate empowerment for the re­pentant cultists.

He noted that if the boys were integrated into the state amnesty programme, it would help change their minds from going back to their former lives.

Isaac assured that he and his group would never return to their former lives of cultism for the sake of peace and development.

Meanwhile, the President of Gokana Peace Ambassadors, Kpa­kol Aleema-Kpakol, said the group decided to embark on peace cam­paign following the wide spread of violence which has claimed the lives of several innocent souls in the area.

Aleema-Kpakol, who spoke alongside his Secretary, Tomei Barikpe Vycent, commended Fr Abel for his effort in ensuring the security of Gokana people.

He stressed the need for the State Government to inherit the repen­tant cultist for the sake of peace and development in Gokana.