The repentant cultists have also brought forward their firearms to the police for confiscation.

Weapons submitted by the cultists who have promised to turn a new leaf include one pump action gun, four double barrels, seven single barrels, two English pistols, four locally made pistols, and 35 cartridges.

Speaking during the handing over of the firearms to the police at the Akarigbo Palace, Alamutu said the essence of the olive branch being extended to cultists is hinged on giving them a second chance to become better citizens and begin to contribute towards peaceful coexistence in the state.

He explained, “The olive branch we are extending to these cultists is a product of several engagements. We all know the problem we have had in the past with frequent cult clashes causing loss of lives in Sagamu.

“And working with the government and traditional rulers, we kick off this process whereby the cultists will come forward denounce their membership and submit any firearms with them without any punitive measures.

“This is in line with the directive from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who has ordered that the illicit firearms should be mopped up, and even those who have their licences are encouraged to return theirs too.

We urge the cultists in the state to embrace this golden opportunity. Many of them are already aware that cultism does not pay, so they should come and lay down their weapons because anyone caught when this window is closed will be treated as a common criminal.”

Speaking earlier, the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said the amnesty for the cultists was as result of several engagements and discussion during when many of the cultists regretted their nefarious acts and promised to turn a new leaf.

Oba Ajayi said that “not satisfied with the killings and disturbance of these cultists in the town, the community restrategised and moved against them. The heat was so much that some of them were even forced to leave the town, but they continued to beg, sending emissaries that they were ready to turn a new leaf.

“We have engaged them and told them point-blank that cultism is not the way forward, that they will only ruin their life, ruin their family name and the plans of God for their lives.

“We told them to submit their weapons and stay away from cultism, and we have promised to integrate them into the society. It is an ongoing exercise, and we hope that their colleagues in other parts of Remo land and Ogun State as a whole will draw a vital lesson and follow suit as well. ”

The monarch thanked Governor Dapo Abiodun, security agencies, and the Sagamu Security Committee for working round the clock to ensure the success of the amnesty deal for the former cultists.

Oba Ajayi begged the residents of the Sagamu community to show the repentant cultists love and support and not treat them as outcasts.

Alamutu said that Oyekanmi was gunned down while returning from the bank where he had taken a bullion van to withdraw some funds for the state.

The CP said the incident happened on the NNPC Bridge, near Kuto, Abeokuta.

He Oyekanmi was rushed to the state hospital, Ijaye, where he was pronounced dead.

The police commissioner said, “This afternoon,  the Director of Finance with a driver and one other person left for Fidelity Bank to make some withdrawal. They went with a homemade bullion van. They were supposed to have a police escort, but for certain reasons, the person (policeman) was permitted to travel to attend to some issues. So, he was not part of the movement today.

“According to the story, after making the withdrawal, and on their way back to the office, they were accosted. A vehicle blocked them on top of the bridge, five occupants of the vehicle came down, shot at the director and from their vehicle, they brought out a sledgehammer to force the receptacle where the money was kept open and they left with the money.

“As of that time, there was no information because the police escort was not with the team; so, the robbers sped off.

The driver claimed to have trailed them up to the Conference Hotel where he lost sight of them.

“The director that was shot was thereafter taken to Ijaye hospital where he eventually gave up the ghost.”

Alamutu said he had demanded the CCTV footage from the bank to aid police investigation.

“For our investigation, I have directed the area commander to get to the bank and request the CCTV footage which will give us an insight into the vehicle in question and the possibility of identifying the culprits if they ever ventured to step out of the vehicle or maybe they just maintained their position in the vehicle.

“I have reached out to Lagos and everywhere in the command to block all the exits out of the state while we are trying to identify them because they said they were five and they wore hoods.”

Governor Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,  Lekan Adeniran, described the incident as a rude shock to him, as he called for prayers for the immediate family of the late director.

“I was devastated and extremely shocked upon receiving news of the cold-blooded murder of Oyekanmi, in the hands of criminal elements and enemies of our state.

It is indeed a colossal loss for our administration to have lost such a dedicated, truthful, and diligent official. His assailants have murdered sleep and will be flushed out immediately from wherever they might be hiding.

“I have directed all security agencies in the state to smoke the criminals out instantly and make them face the full wrath of the law.

“I, therefore,  want to assure the entire workforce and residents in the state that never will such calamity befall our dear state again.

“I pray for the repose of his soul and for God’s protection over the family he left behind. Obviously,  he is going to be sorely missed by his relatives, colleagues and the government he meritoriously served till death.”