11,000 Bayelsa Youths Renouncing Cultism, Says Gov. Dickson

Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has said that 11, 000 youths involved in cultism have decided to renounce it, and that he will soon meet with them to chart the path to meaningful ventures.

The governor, who was speaking in Yenagoa at the inauguration the new Bayelsa Youth Development Committee, said the government was extending an olive branch to those who had made the decision to change.

"Our government is determined to redirect and reintegrate these youths into the society for positive development," he said, welcoming the change of attitude.  "They have abused the youths' privileges in the state. A number of them are on drugs, and we want to re-integrate them."

It was gathered that the government may be planning some kind of 'amnesty' deal which will involve regular cash disbursement to the youths, which may explain the large number of people registered under the scheme.

A source said that the youths were initially informed that were being registered for an 'empowerment scheme.'

On the recent killing of policemen in the state, the governor accused unidentified "enemies of the state'' as the brains behind the incident, saying it was aimed at compromising the peace.

"From available records, some people are making efforts to truncate peace in the state," the governor said.  "The recent killing of policemen in the state is to paint the state as an insecure state and to scare away investors."

Despite repeated promises by the police, no arrests have yet been made in connection with the crime.