The Edo State Special Taskforce on Anti-Cultism on Thursday said it arrested a butcher who is also high ranking leader of a cult group in the state.
DAILY POST reports that the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare disclosed this on behalf of the taskforce while parading 11 arrested cultists in Benin City.
Nehikhare said the cult leader was arrested at the Ekosodin axis along with five other suspects in Ovia North East Local Government Area
He said the taskforce also arrested three suspected cultists on August 7, 2024 within the Auchi Polytechnic community.
Also, he disclosed that on August 10, 2024 after the taskforce conducted a massive show of force within Benin City, the operatives stormed a hotel in Upper Sakponba where suspected cultists were holding a meeting and arrested two suspects on the spot.
The commissioner said the suspects are currently in custody while investigations are ongoing.
He added that the taskforce has made several arrests of key cult members across board through painstaking intelligence information.
Nehikhare said the taskforce established by Governor Godwin Obaseki is headed by the Department of State Services, DSS.
He stated that the establishment of the taskforce was in response to increasing cult killings which had claimed many youthful lives across the state.
“Since the inauguration of the taskforce, it has demonstrated 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.
“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 taskforce 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.
“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,” he said.
The commissioner all cultists to renounce their affiliations, noting that those that failed to renounce membership with face the full wrath of the law.
He also appealed to parents to be vigilant and steer their children away from the path of destruction, adding that the government of Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, is committed to restoring peace and security in the state.
Edo: Taskforce arrests butcher, 10 others for cultism
