Three members of two different secret cults, Black Axe and Iceland, Emmanuel Atangakak, aged 32, Mfon Bassey aged 30 and Godwin Asukwo aged 29, recently confessed, renounced membership and repented from the groups.
They took the wise decisions to come out of the deadly groups, because according to them, they want to live a life acceptable to both the society and God.
Their action was in response to the word of preaching the received at a convention organised by the Mount Zion Mission Incorporated, Oron, Akwa Ibom.
According to them, during the sojourn into the cult group, they lost a lot of things, including valuables but expressed thanks to God for the salvation the have received during the convention.
In their confession, they said instead of meeting their objectives of membership of the groups, they lost the little they made in life.
They used the medium to appeal to other youths who are members of secret societies to come out of them to regain their normal life.
Reacting to the youths’ decisions, officiating clerics at the event expressed optimism that curtailing social vices among youths in the country was possible if the religious bodies played their roles effectively.
Bishop Efiong Amana, Deputy General Field Superintendent of the Mount Zion Mission, thanked them for being bold enough to stand before the congregation for renunciation from the groups.
“The church has a lot of role to play in dissuading the youths from joining cult groups by way of organising seminar for the youths in the Church.
“The church has the responsibility of exposing the youths by teaching them disadvantages of joining these deadly groups through the word of God at the early age.”
“It does not stop at the confessions; the church has a lot to do in their lives, bringing them into strong teaching that will help their faith to be established.
“The Church also has to pray for them and let them be involved in the prayers, organise seminars for them in order not to have time to remain idle and go back to those old ways”, he said.
According to him, religious bodied should partner governments in their efforts to curb social vices by engaging youths in meaningful venture.
Similarly, Very Rev’d Anza Habila, the Presbyter, All Saints Methodist Church Mararaba, advised church to intensify efforts at seeing that some of the Christian beliefs are inculcated in the young ones at the early stages of life.
“Counseling process will unveil certain secrets that they hid from the society. It also offers the opportunity to caution them on dangers inherent in anti-social behaviour.
Habila advised parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children by watching out for the type of companies they keep in and out of school.
Sharing his experience, Mr Emmanuel Ugwanyi of the Lord`s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, said he wasn’t surprised that they some young people who belong to various religious indulge in anti-social behaviour.
Ugwanyi, who also confessed that he was once involved all sorts of wayward lifestyles said God’s power through his words could change impossible and difficult situations to possible.
“As the church remains the voice of God, the only way to curtail evil among Nigerian youths is through proper teaching of the words of God.
“This is not the first time for such thing to happen, but with more testimonies of such and the publicity by the media too, it could serve as a medium to discourage others”, he said.
Miss Oluchi Jacob, President Methodist Youth Fellowship, Nyanya Diocese, said repentant anti-social behavior members of the Church could inspire others still in that lifestyle to retrace their steps.
She advised the church and the society not to judge or discriminate against them based on their past.
“These cultists already know what they are involved in is wrong. Therefore, instead of the Church judging and stigmatising them, the Church should show them unconditional love, pray and care for them.
Harrison Emmanuel, decried high rate youths indulgence in cultism in particular, said church should periodically organise workshops whereby youths will be educated on the side effects of indulging in anti-social behaviour.
A media report also quoted a Muslim cleric, Muslim cleric, Sheik Saidu Jingir, as expressing concern over anti-social behaviour among youths, saying it could cause mental health problems among youth.
He explained that substance and drug abuse pose dangers of, depression, misconduct and personality disorders, including killing, and suicide.
Stakeholders say being highly respected among their followers, religious leaders should use their positions to not only speak out against anti-social behavior among youths such as cultism and substance abuse, but also take concrete actions to stem them.
