The Edo State Government has confirmed the arrest of 11 suspected members of different violent cult groups in the state by the special task force set up by the state government. The arrests were carried out in different parts of the state.
Speaking on the activities of the special task force on Thursday, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, noted that the task force comprises eight different security agencies in the state. He explained that the state government had been able to arrest a deep crackdown on the criminals.
The commissioner called on the cult members to forfeit their membership of any cult group in the state he not that no political, religious, ethnic, or social standing would protect any individual who gets him or herself involved in the violent activities of cultism.
He explained that the task force in Edo state has warned, and there will be no hiding place for any individual practising cultism in the state.
He disclosed that the task force, which the Department of State Services leads, was established by the state governor to tackle the rising cases of cult killings in the state, which claimed sererals of individuals who are mostly in their young age. He highlighted that the directive from the governor was clear: that the security agencies should take a step against the cultists.
The commissioner further disclosed that the task force had demonstrated a good act of commitment to getting the practice of cultism out of Edo state. He noted that the state government had deployed tools to educate and persuade the people with community engagements carried out in different locations in the state. The central message he said was urging people to stay away from the practice of cultism.
He noted that the task force has facilitated the arrest of several cult leaders after a thorough intelligence and investigation.
In providing specific details, he noted that on August 7, 2024, the task force arrested three individuals who were suspected to be cult members within the Auchi Polytechnic community.
The task force carried out another operation on August 10, 2024, at 11 p.m. The operatives demonstrated a massive show of force, and the team was tipped about the cultist’s activities. The men arrived at the Upper Sakponba Hotel, where the cult members were allegedly holding their meeting. He disclosed that two suspects were arrested instantly by the operatives.
Another cult leader was arrested on the 10th of August 2024 at Ekosodin area of Ovia Northeast Local Government Area, the arrest he said was facilitated by a credible intelligence that the cult leader was hiding in the area.
He further noted five other individuals were arrested at about 03:20 and 05:00 hours. He explained that the individuals were the high-ranking members of the cult groups. According to him, 11 people have been taken into custody, and investigations have started.
He highlighted that the arrest of the 11 individuals was the beginning of the exercise in the state; he disclosed that a list has been drawn with several individuals being the targets, and the state won’t rest until every cult member is brought to justice.
He went on to warn the members of the cult to stay away from such affiliations or face the law; parents have been urged to watch their children and advise them to stay away from any act that will jeopardise their future. He noted that the anti-cultism law in the state will be enforce to thee full.
