Discontented youths in Agbor Kingdom have organized a peaceful protest over the ongoing leadership crisis within the Agbor Unity Anti-Cult Group, calling for a total restructuring of the organization to restore credibility and strengthen efforts against cultism and other criminal activities within the kingdom.
The peaceful protest held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, had the concerned youths, part of the parent body of Agbor youths (Agbor Gha-Ihun), expressing dissatisfaction with the process of appointing a new commander for the anti-cult organization. They insisted that the selection must be transparent, based on merit, and free from political influence.
During the protest, Chief Sunday Solomon Ibude, Commander of the Agbor Gha-Ihun Vigilante and President of Agbor Youths, stated that the demonstration aimed to protect the integrity of the anti-cult organization and to ensure that only credible individuals are entrusted with its leadership.
Also speaking to journalists, Comrade Irughe Niceday, Deputy Commander of the Agbor Gha-Ihun, emphasized that the anti-cult group must be repositioned to effectively combat cultism and criminality, highlighting that the appointment of leaders should be based on competence, integrity, and public trust rather than sectional or political considerations.
Furthermore, the Publicity Secretary of Agbor Gha-Ihun, Comrade Okoh Destiny, affirmed that the youths were united in their call for reforms that would restore confidence in the organization and ensure a transparent leadership selection process.
Two members of the Anti-Cult Volunteer group, Comrade Lucky Amhanre, popularly known as “Gbogboera,” and Comrade Paul Odima, also voiced their support for the protest. They urged the relevant authorities and the Agbor traditional institution to ensure that the restructuring results in leadership capable of carrying out its duties without bias, favoritism, or political interference.
Among their demands, the youths rejected the appointment of another commander from Ekuku-Agbor, noting that the previous commander also hailed from the same area. They argued that retaining leadership within the same community would not promote fairness, inclusiveness, or unity among the various quarters of Agbor Kingdom.
They further insisted that the next commander must possess unquestionable integrity and proven good character. The protesters argued that anyone with a criminal record or a reputation that could tarnish the group’s image should not be considered for the position.
The demonstrators also stressed that no individual who has not genuinely renounced cult activities should be entrusted with the leadership of an anti-cult organization. They rejected a leader who would aid attacks and killings involving anti-cult members—incidents they described as unprecedented and deeply disturbing.
Moreover, the youths rejected any candidate associated with promoting criminal activities, especially the sale of illicit drugs, which they said continues to destroy many young lives and fuels cultism, violence, and other crimes within the community.
They also decried what they described as the increasing politicization of anti-cult operations, claiming that political interference has weakened the group and encouraged acts of aiding and abetting criminals rather than diligently protecting lives and property.
As part of their demands, the youths called for a new leader from the Ime-Obi axis, believing such a person would be better suited to unify members of the organization. They stressed that the leader should be well-prepared, enjoy the confidence of the traditional institution, and be broadly accepted by the people of Agbor.
Finally, they urged the Agbor traditional institution, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the restructuring process is transparent, credible, and aimed at restoring public trust in the Agbor Unity Anti-Cult Group.
They reiterated that their protest was peaceful and driven solely by the desire to reposition the anti-cult organization as a professional, impartial, and effective body dedicated to fighting cultism and all criminality in Agbor Kingdom.
By Patrick Gbuchanye
