BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared an intensified crackdown on cultism in the state, warning that any individual or group involved in cult-related activities will face the full weight of the law. The governor’s tough stance follows recent killings and violent attacks in parts of the state allegedly orchestrated by members of the Neo Black Movement (NBM), popularly known as Black Axe.
In a statement released through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Monday, May 12, 2025, Governor Okpebholo disclosed that the state government is already in talks with legal authorities to initiate appropriate legal action against the NBM, citing recent public admissions by individuals who identified themselves as members of the group and condemned the demolition of a building linked to their operations. The state government views these admissions as legal grounds for prosecution, noting that by aligning themselves with the property, the individuals in question have confirmed their association with the criminal activities reportedly planned from the site.
The property, according to the state, was far from an ordinary structure. It reportedly served as a hub for coordinating violent attacks within Benin City and across several other localities in Edo State. The demolition, which has generated public discourse, was executed based on credible intelligence and in accordance with the state’s Anti-Cultism Law enacted by the Edo State House of Assembly. The government emphasized that it cannot stand idly by while criminal hideouts are allowed to fester within its jurisdiction.
Reacting to recent claims by the NBM that it had renovated six public schools in Edo State since Governor Okpebholo assumed office, the government issued a stern response. The group has been asked to provide the names and locations of the allegedly renovated schools, submit documented evidence of the renovation works, and present formal approval or partnership documentation from the state government. Authorities warned that failure to do so could result in legal proceedings for misrepresentation, defamation, and unauthorized tampering with public infrastructure.
In a move to solidify law enforcement presence in the area, the Edo State Government announced that it will begin the construction of a divisional police station on the same plot of land where the cult-linked building was demolished. This, the government said, will serve both as a deterrent to future criminal activity and as a measure to protect residents in the vicinity.
Governor Okpebholo made it clear that this is just the beginning. More buildings linked to known cultists and criminal elements will be pulled down in the coming days, as part of a broader, state-wide effort to restore order and security. The administration, according to the release, is firmly relying on the authority granted by the anti-cultism legislation already in force within the state.
Reaffirming his personal and political neutrality, Governor Okpebholo stated categorically that he has never had any ties—past or present—to any cult group or secret society. His only allegiance, he said, is to the people of Edo State and to the security of their lives and property.
He issued a final warning to all cult members operating in Edo: “Cease and desist or leave the state immediately.” The governor assured the public that as long as he remains in office, Edo will remain a hostile environment for cultism and those who propagate it.
The government’s unwavering commitment to stamping out cultism comes amid rising concerns over insecurity in various parts of the state, particularly urban centres like Benin City, where rival cult clashes have claimed dozens of lives in recent months. Civil society groups and community leaders have welcomed the administration’s bold stance, calling for continued enforcement of the anti-cultism law without fear or favour.
With law enforcement agencies and intelligence units working closely with the state government, the Okpebholo-led administration is positioning itself as a vanguard of peace and security in southern Nigeria. The message is loud and clear: Edo State will not tolerate cultism in any form, and violators will face swift and decisive justice.