The fight against cultism in Edo has recorded a boost as the Edo state Special taskforce on Thursday paraded some suspected cult members in Benin.
The Edo state government, in collaboration with security agencies, have emphasised more on the need to wipe out cultism in the state as an investigation has revealed they are responsible for the majority of the crime rate in the state.
Against this backdrop, the arrest of over ten cult members by the Taskforce was a big boost for the fight against the Scourge.
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Addressing journalists on the breakthrough, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the effort of the state governor to wipe out the ugly menace in the state is yielding positive results.
Nehikhare, who stated that since the inauguration of the Special Task Force, it has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to rid Edo State of cultism, disclosed that initial efforts focused on education and persuasion, engaging with communities and stakeholders to dissuade the youths in particular from joining cults.
He said beyond persuasion; the force has made several arrests of key cult members across the board through painstaking intelligence procurement.
Briefing journalists, the state Image Maker disclosed that on 7th August 2024, taskforce operatives arrested three suspected cultists within the Auchi Polytechnic community.
“On 10th August 2024, at approximately 2340 hours, a massive show of force was conducted within Benin City.
Acting on a tip-off, the team stormed a hotel in Upper Sakponba where cult members were holding a meeting. Two suspects were apprehended on the spot.
“The crackdown continued on 13th August 2024, when the operatives, leveraging critical intelligence, arrested a key cult leader in the Ekosodin axis of Ovia North East Local Government Area. The following day, in a pre-dawn raid between 0320 and 0500 hours, five more notorious cultists, including high-ranking leaders and a butcher, were taken into custody.
“Eleven suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing. Let it be clear: this is just the beginning. We have a long list of targets, and the Taskforce will stop at nothing until every last cultist is brought to justice.
No one is above the law. No political, religious, ethnic, or social standing will protect anyone involved in cult activities.
“This is a stern warning to all cult members: renounce your affiliations now, or face the full wrath of the law. Parents, we urge you to be vigilant and steer your children away from this path of destruction.
The government of Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, is committed to restoring peace and security in our state.
“Governor Obaseki has made it clear that the newly enacted anti-cultism law will be enforced to its fullest extent. The Edo State Special Task Force on Anti-Cultism is empowered to crush all cult-related activities and enforce the ban on the notorious Okaighele groups. We will not rest until Edo State is free from the clutches of cultism. This is a fight we will win,” he said.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Uzzi said that once the investigation is concluded, they will be charged to court as the new law that was amended recently has now been broadened for tertiary institutions and outside ones.
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