Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
More than 500 people publicly renounced their membership of various cult groups in Edo State on Monday as Governor Monday Okpebholo warned that those who refuse to abandon cultism will face the full weight of the law without mercy. The mass renunciation and denunciation ceremony, themed "Restitution, Rehabilitation and Safer Edo State," was held at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub on Airport Road in Benin City and organised by the Edo State Special Security Squad.
The figures reported varied, with some accounts putting the number of repentant cultists at over 500 and others at more than 100. The discrepancy reflects the absence of a single official figure, though the scale of the event was clearly significant. The participants took an oath of dissociation, pledging to sever ties with their former groups and embrace lawful living.
Okpebholo commended the participants for choosing to abandon cultism, saying their decision would help save their lives and spare their families further pain. "On our part, we are not afraid to go after cultists and criminal elements in the state. Please take the message back to those that have not changed, they still have the power to renounce because if they are caught, there will be no mercy," he said. The governor warned that the government would demolish buildings used for cult-related activities, adding that security agencies would continue to support efforts to tackle cultism and other violent crimes. "The security forces are still behind us. I am ready and hungry to give the directive to demolish any house used for cult-related activities," he said.
The governor said his administration was offering young people willing to abandon crime opportunities for rehabilitation and a fresh start. "We are offering genuine opportunities for rehabilitation and ensuring that your past does not define your future," he said. He disclosed that he had the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make Edo State crime-free, saying the President was happy about the progress being made. He also directed those who had renounced cultism to submit their names and phone numbers for follow-up engagement, where potential support for their future would be discussed.
Okpebholo claimed that Edo 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. "Through stronger laws, better security operations, improved intelligence, and tougher enforcement, these killings have been reduced to almost zero," he said. He recalled that upon assuming office on November 12, 2024, between 300 and 400 persons were reportedly killed within three months, and that about five persons were killed within five days. "They all died for nothing. And when I came in, they wanted to try it. Within five days, we lost five people. I said no, we must stop it," he said.
The governor stressed that his administration would pursue cultists, kidnappers and other criminal elements regardless of their personal or family connections. "Even if my child is involved, the right thing must be done. No hiding place for criminals in Edo State. No colour in Edo State, we are all brothers," he said. He described cultism as a breeding ground for kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes, urging those yet to renounce their membership to resist fear, intimidation and peer pressure. "Your life is worth more than cult loyalty. Your family, community and Edo State need you," he said.
The Coordinator of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Noah Idemudia, commended the governor for establishing the squad and supporting its collaboration with security agencies. "You chose to fight cultism and kidnapping and we joined you in the fight and today success has been recorded," Idemudia said. The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, said the renunciation programme was intended to save young lives and encourage former cult members to become productive members of society. "This event today shows you love the lives of Edo youths and don't want them to be killed anymore but live a productive life. Cultism is a path that leads to death and for young men here today, please don't follow the path of death anymore," he said. He quoted Proverbs 16:25 of the Bible, saying cultism might appear attractive to young people initially but could ultimately destroy their lives and aspirations. "Amnesty may be coming from you, but it's one of those branches of the mercies of God that God is extending," Daaor said, urging the beneficiaries not to treat the opportunity lightly.
The Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, described the exercise as a step towards achieving the security component of the governor's SHINE Agenda. He said the number of participants publicly renouncing cultism represented a reduction in the strength of cult groups and an increase in the number of residents embracing peace. He also appealed to the governor to extend his dragnet to drug dealers in the state, pointing out that without the intake of hard drugs, cultists and other criminals would not have the courage to engage in criminal activities.
One of those who renounced their membership of cultism from Edo Central Senatorial District, Isaac Owobu, described cultism as worse than HIV, thanking the state governor for giving them a second chance to make amends for their past wrongdoings. He said some individuals who had previously abandoned their studies for fear of reprisal attacks had returned to school to pursue their master's degrees in Ekpoma.
The mass renunciation comes amid a broader crackdown on cultism and violent crime in Edo State. In June 2026, Okpebholo threatened to publicly execute convicted kidnappers and cultists, saying his administration would set up a special court to speedily prosecute such cases. In July, the Edo State Government warned cultists against marking the 7/7 celebration, and two suspected cultists were arrested with two pump-action guns during an operation led by the Principal Security Officer to the Governor. The government has also established the Edo State Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultists, to complement the work of conventional security agencies. In September, the governor said he began casting out demons at 17, claiming that fighting insecurity, especially cultism, was not new to him.
For the people of Edo State, the mass renunciation represents a significant development in the government's efforts to reduce cult-related violence and improve security. For the repentant cultists, the amnesty offers an opportunity to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society. For the governor, the event is a demonstration of his administration's determination to confront criminality without fear or favour. The coming months will determine whether the amnesty programme leads to a sustained reduction in cultism and whether those who have renounced their membership receive the support they need to build productive lives.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments