The Edo State Special Task Force on Anti-cultism on Thursday stated it had arrested 11 suspected members of various cult teams within the state, vowing to win the cult battle.
Speaking at a press briefing on the actions of the duty pressure made up of eight safety outfits and 4 ministries, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, stated the suspects have been arrested in a number of elements of the state by the crack staff of the duty pressure.
While calling on cult members to resign their membership, he warned that no political, non secular, ethnic, or social standing would shield anybody concerned in cult actions.
He stated, “The Edo State Special Task Force on Anti-Cultism has issued a powerful warning that there might be no hiding place for cultists in Edo State.
“The process pressure headed by the Department of State Services was created by the Governor Obaseki authorities in response to rising cult killings which had claimed many youthful lives throughout the state. The directive was clear: Crush cultism with an iron fist.
“Since the inauguration of the duty pressure, it has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to rid Edo State of cultism. Initial efforts targeted on schooling and persuasion, participating with communities and stakeholders to dissuade the youths specifically from becoming a member of cults.
Beyond persuasion, the duty pressure has made a number of arrests of key cult members throughout board via painstaking intelligence procurement.
“On August 7, 2024, process pressure operatives arrested three suspected cultists inside the Auchi Polytechnic neighborhood.
On August 10, 2024, at roughly 23:40 hours, a large present of pressure was performed inside Benin City. Acting on a tip-off, the staff stormed a lodge in Upper Sakponba the place cult members have been holding a gathering. Two suspects have been apprehended on the spot.
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He stated the crackdown continued on August 10, 2024, when the operatives, leveraging important intelligence, arrested a key cult chief within the Ekosodin space of Ovia North East Local Government Area.
“The following day, in a pre-dawn raid between 03:20 and 05:00 hours, 5 extra infamous cultists, together with high-ranking leaders and a butcher, have been taken into custody.
“A total of 11 suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing.”
He added, “Let or not it’s clear, that is only the start. We have a protracted checklist of targets, and the duty pressure will cease at nothing till each final cultist is dropped at justice. No one is above the regulation. No political, non secular, ethnic, or social standing will shield anybody concerned in cult actions.
“This is a stern warning to all cult members: resign your affiliations now, or face the total wrath of the regulation. Parents, we urge you to be vigilant and steer your youngsters away from this path of destruction. The authorities of Edo State, below the management of Governor Godwin Obaseki, is dedicated to restoring peace and safety in our state.
“Governor Obaseki has made it clear that the newly enacted anti-cultism law will be enforced to its fullest. 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.”