The Edo State Special Task Force on anti-Cultism has issued a strong warning that there will be no 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.
Since the inauguration of the Task Force, it has demonstrated unwavering commitment to rid the state of cultism. Initial efforts focused on education and persuasion, engaging with communities and stakeholders to dissuade the youths in particular from joining cults.
Beyond persuasion, the taskforce has made several arrests of key cult members across board through painstaking intelligence procurement.
On 7th August 2024, the 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,” said Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation.
He sounded a note of warning: “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.”
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