In Rivers State, the scourge of cultism continues to afflict communities, exacerbating social instability and criminality. Amid ongoing efforts by the Rivers State Police Command to stem this tide, a poignant tale emerges from the recent arrest of Gift Justice Hart, a confessed member of the Dey-Bam cult group, shedding light on the complex interplay of familial strife and criminality.

Gift’s journey into the shadows of cultism is a testament to the nexus between dysfunctional homes and criminal behavior. Born into a fractured family in Bonny Local Government Area, Gift found solace in the camaraderie of his peers, forging an alliance with Raphael Green, another troubled youth grappling with domestic turmoil.

Their bond deepened as they grappled with shared experiences of witnessing their mothers endure abuse at the hands of their partners. Desperate to shield their loved ones from harm, Raphael sought refuge in the ranks of the Dey-Bam cult group, while Gift, fueled by a desire to confront his mother’s abusive partner, ventured into the perilous world of cultism at a tender age of 17.

Driven by a sense of powerlessness and a thirst for vengeance, Gift’s initiation into the Dey-Bam cult marked the beginning of a tumultuous journey, fraught with violence and peril. His confrontation with his mother’s assailant culminated in a harrowing altercation, leaving his mother’s partner gravely injured and igniting a chain of events that would ultimately lead to his arrest.

The unraveling of Gift’s story underscores the grim reality facing many youths in Rivers State, grappling with cycles of violence and neglect in their homes. As Gift and Raphael’s narrative unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for intervention and support for vulnerable youth trapped in a cycle of despair and hopelessness.

In response to these developments, Commissioner of Police CP Tunji Disu has sounded a clarion call for collective action, urging parents and guardians to serve as positive role models and mentors for their children. With a firm commitment to dismantling cult networks and restoring peace to communities, the Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its resolve to combat cultism and its attendant social ills.

As Gift and his fellow detainees await the outcome of ongoing investigations, their plight serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost of cultism and the imperative of addressing root causes to foster a safer and more secure future for all residents of Rivers State.