New Telegraph

Edo Taskforce On Cultism Arrest 11 Suspects

…Declares War on Deadly Groups

The Edo State Special Taskforce on Anti-Cultism on Thursday paraded eleven suspected cultists, who were arrested within the last one week,while issuing a strong warning to cultists in the State to either renounce their memberships of the various deadly groups of face the music.

The task force set up by Governor Godwin Obaseki in the wake of killings across the state by cultists, gave the warning in Benin City, Edo State capital, at a press conference attended by all the security agencies that make up the task force.

Speaking on the activities of the task force in the last one-week, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Chris Nehikhare, who is also a member of the task force said that the state government was determined in its efforts at stamping out cultism from the state.

Nehikhare explained that the aim of setting up the task force, which is headed by My Yusuf Bichi, Edo State Director of the Department of State Security (DSS), “is to rid Edo State of cultists”.

The text of the commissioner’s address at the press conference reads:

“The Edo State Task Force on Anti-Cultism has issued a strong warning that there will be no hiding place for cultists in Edo State. The task force headed by the Department of State Services (DSS) was created by 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.

“Since the inauguration of the Task Force, it has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to rid Edo 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 task force has made several arrests of key cult members across the board through painstaking intelligence procurement.

“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 task force 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,” Nehikhare vowed.

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