The Edo State Government has expressed concern over the growing social consequences of cult-related killings, warning that the violence has led to a rise in the number of widows and fatherless children across the state.
The Secretary of the Edo State Special Security Squad, popularly known as “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists,” John Izegaegbe, stated this on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, during the launch of the state government’s campaign against cultism and drug abuse in Benin City.
Izegaegbe called on stakeholders to support the government’s efforts to combat cultism, drug abuse, and related crimes, stressing that collective action was necessary to address the menace.
He said the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration had intensified efforts to tackle the problem by taking the campaign directly to schools to sensitise students on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, and criminal activities. According to him, the initiative is aimed at catching them young and preventing early involvement in such activities.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Idemudia Noah, said Governor Okpebholo had declared zero tolerance for cultism and drug abuse in the state. He explained that the declaration led to the establishment of the Edo State Special Security Squad, also known as “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists.”
Noah, who also serves as the Principal Security Officer to the governor, disclosed that the squad, alongside security agencies and other stakeholders, had visited Ihogbe College, Akenzua Senior Secondary School, Edo Boys High School, and other institutions as part of the awareness campaign.
He noted that while the campaign initially targeted the general public, the strategy was later adjusted to focus more directly on students.
He said, “The campaign was first taken to the society, but now we want to take our message to primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions. Even primary and secondary school students are now involved in these activities.
“Governor Okpebholo charged us to take the campaign to the grassroots to ensure cultism is eradicated from the state. Starting from secondary schools will greatly help in fighting this scourge.
“We started in Edo South, and we will move to Edo Central and Edo North. From Edo State, the message will spread across the nation.”
Also speaking at the event, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, described cultism, drug abuse, and substance dependency as serious social threats undermining the future of young people and communities.
He urged students to reject cultism and drug abuse, stressing that neither is an option for a meaningful future. He warned that involvement in such activities could destroy their lives and aspirations.
In his remarks, the Junior Principal of Edo Boys High School, Mr. Usiobafo Nicholas, commended the governor for the initiative and called for the establishment of anti-cultism clubs in secondary schools across the state’s 18 local government areas to further strengthen the campaign.
Students of Ihogbe College, including the Head Girl, Aisosa Osakpamwan, and the Head Boy, Blessed Edomwonyi, expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful in curbing cultism in schools across the state.
