Edo Governor Okpebholo slashes cult killings to single digits

The ‎Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, has received praise for the reduction in cult-related killings across the state. John Mayaki, a former Chief Press Secretary, stated during a briefing on Wednesday, December 17, that the current calm in Benin City is the result of a shift in the security strategy of the state.
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Since assuming office in November 2024, Governor Okpebholo has treated cultism as a security emergency under his S.H.I.N.E. Agenda. His administration has implemented a zero-tolerance policy by ordering the deployments of heavy security presence, as well as the demolition of criminal hideouts, and the signing of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025, which imposes a 10-year jail term for harboring cultists.
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Edo State has long struggled with clashes between rival cult groups, specifically the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities.
Between 2021 and 2023, Edo recorded approximately 180 cult-related deaths, with December 2023 alone recording over 30 fatalities. While in 2025, data shows monthly fatalities have largely dropped to single digits.
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The State government launched a multi-agency task force this year, consisting of the Police, Army, Civil Defence, and local vigilantes. This agency has been credited with breaking the cycles of reprisal attacks before they spiral out of control.
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The government has also reportedly ordered the demolition of buildings linked to cult activities and kidnapping in areas like Uromi, one of the hotspots areas for cult activities in the state.
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The State Government emphasized that the data speaks for itself, and that the scale and frequency of violence in the state have crashed. The State Government also stated that night life peace in Benin City has been restored and that the safety of farmers in rural areas has lived evidence of this success. In addition to this, over 300 cult leaders have reportedly been arrested in the past year.
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Governor Okpebholo stated that the state plans to procure multifunctional drones and to establish a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre for smart policing in order to maintain peace and calm in the state especially this festive season.
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