Gov. Okpebholo Issues Stern Warning To Cultists, Offers Rehabilitation To Those Who Renounce

By Rosemary Okoduwa

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has warned cultists who refuse to renounce their membership and continue engaging in criminal activities that they will face the full weight of the law, declaring that his administration will show no mercy to offenders.

The governor gave the warning during a mass voluntary renunciation and denunciation of cultism, themed “Restitution, Rehabilitation and Safer Edo State,” held at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub on Airport Road, Benin City. He commended youths who publicly renounced their membership of various cult groups, describing their decision as a step towards saving their lives and sparing their families further pain.

Okpebholo said his administration remained committed to tackling cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes, adding that security agencies had his full support. He warned that houses used for cult-related activities could be demolished, stressing that no individual would be protected from prosecution because of family ties or personal connections.

The governor, however, assured youths willing to abandon criminal activities that his government was offering opportunities for rehabilitation and a fresh start. He urged those still involved in cultism to resist intimidation and peer pressure, emphasising that their lives and future were more valuable than loyalty to criminal groups.

Okpebholo claimed that Edo State recorded more than 300 cult-related killings annually when his administration assumed office less than two years ago, but said the figure had since dropped to almost zero. He attributed the reported decline to stronger laws, improved intelligence gathering, enhanced security operations and tougher enforcement, adding that kidnapping incidents had also reduced.

The coordinator of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultists, Noah Idemudia, commended the governor for establishing the squad and supporting its collaboration with other security agencies. He said the joint efforts had recorded progress in tackling cultism and kidnapping, while urging residents to support the ongoing security initiatives.

Similarly, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, described the renunciation exercise as an opportunity to save young people from violence and premature death. He urged former cult members to embrace productive and lawful lives, while the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, said the initiative aligned with the security component of the governor’s SHINE Agenda and demonstrated the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on cultism and kidnapping.

A political figure in the state, Francis Inegbeneki, commended the government’s efforts against cultism and appealed to the governor to extend the same determination to combating drug abuse, which he identified as a related challenge. He urged Okpebholo to remain focused on the fight against criminality despite criticism, saying sustained efforts were necessary to protect communities and prevent further loss of lives.

The Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Roland Otaru, said cult-related activities had caused significant destruction of lives and property across the state. He noted that the establishment of a Special Criminal Court had strengthened the state’s criminal justice system and urged cult members to take advantage of the renunciation programme to turn away from crime and become law-abiding citizens.