Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has announced a ban on the activities of Okaigheles (youth leaders) in the Edo South senatorial district as part of a renewed effort to tackle the escalating issue of cultism in the state.
The governor made this declaration while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with security chiefs at the Government House in Benin City.
Obaseki highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that over 150 people have been killed in cult-related activities and homicides since January 2024. In response, his administration has declared a total war against cultism and established a special task force led by the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS). This task force will begin reviewing every cult-related incident in the state starting tonight.
“We have just finished the Security Council meeting where we reviewed the security situation in Edo State since January 2024, with particular emphasis on the security activities in May 2024,” Obaseki said. “From the security management report which was considered in our meeting, we still have a nagging issue in Edo State which is cultism. The incidence of cultism is very high.”
The governor expressed deep concern over the homicides linked to cult activities. “From January to date, we have lost over 150 people to cult-related activities and homicide. We can’t tolerate and accept this situation anymore,” he stated.
He further announced decisive actions: “The council today has decided to go full blast against cultists and cultism in the state. We have now passed an anti-cultism law in Edo State and that law will be implemented to its fullest.”
