Onitsha — Six students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, have renounced their membership of the Black Movement of Africa, popularly known as Black Axe, and the Vikings cult groups.

Five were said to be members of Black Axe, while one was reportedly a member of Vikings.

Parading the cultists, who had voluntarily renounced their membership, before the school authorities and a large crowd of students, leader of the anti-cultism squad in the institution, Mr. Ade Abdulahi, said the students were arrested a few days ago.

He said some incriminating items were recovered from one of the students' room, who denied being a member of any secret cult.

Items recovered were mace, a symbol of authority, axes, Bible, vests, packets of candles, regalia, knife and charms, which were burnt after a cleric in the institution, Venerable Osondu had prayed for them.

Rector of the institution, Prof. Godwin Onu, said the Polytechnic had in 2010 witnessed 50 students renouncing cultism and said the institution would no longer tolerate cultism.

Onu declared the institution cult-free, saying his administration was committed to ensuring security and enabling environment for the students.

He assured the students, who renounced their membership of cultism, that nobody would molest, intimate and attack them for doing so.

Onu said the authority would not hesitate to expel any student involved in cult activities.