The Edo State Special Task Force on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said it has, in line with the Edo State guidelines of zero tolerance for cults and cultism
related crimes in the state would do everything within the ambit of the law to stamp out cultism from the state such that there would not be any hiding place for cultists in the state.
The taskforce headed by the Department of State Services (DSS) was created by the Governor Obaseki-led state government in response to increasing cult killings which had claimed many youthful lives across the state. The directive was clear – crush cultism with an iron fist.
Speaking on behalf of the Special Task Force which included all security agencies across the state, the State Commissioner of Communication, Mr. Chris Nehikhare stated that a total of eleven suspects were arrested across the state and they are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing.
Nehikhare who stated that since the inauguration of the Task Force, it has demonstrated 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 taskforce has made several arrests of key cult members across 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 the 10th of 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 the 13th of 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.
“A total of 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 concluded
