The Edo State Government has announced the arrest of more than 300 cult leaders within the past year during a series of operations carried out by the state’s Special Security Squad.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Coordinator of the Special Security Squad, Noah Idemudia, revealed that several properties owned by suspected cultists have also been demolished. He reaffirmed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s firm commitment to eradicating cultism and kidnapping across the state.
Earlier in 2025, Governor Okpebholo signed into law the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025, and the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025. These laws prescribe stringent penalties—including a 10-year jail term for anyone who shelters cultists, 21 years for cultists who cause harm or destroy property, and the death penalty for kidnappers whose victims lose their lives.
Speaking during the commemoration of Governor Okpebholo’s first anniversary in office, Idemudia said the establishment of the Special Security Squad was a decisive move to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace. He explained that the ongoing crackdown, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists,” was strategically coordinated by the Office of the Principal Security Officer (PSO) and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor.
Idemudia emphasized that Governor Okpebholo’s administration remains committed to building a secure, peaceful, and development-oriented Edo State.
“Edo State Government has promised hard times for those perpetrating criminal activities across the state. There is no hiding place for them. Edo is no longer a safe haven for crime or criminality,” he said.
He also urged citizens to stay vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities.
For years, Edo State has grappled with persistent security challenges—particularly kidnappings and cult-related killings—in areas such as Benin City, Ekpoma, and Auchi. Idemudia noted that the new laws and the intensified security efforts mark a new phase in the government’s campaign to rid the state of violent crime.
What You Should Know
Edo State’s government, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, has intensified its war against cultism and kidnapping, leading to the arrest of over 300 cult leaders in one year.
The new security laws impose harsh penalties—including death sentences for fatal kidnapping cases—as part of a broader effort to restore peace and safety.
The ongoing “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists” is a major coordinated strategy led by the Governor’s security team to end long-standing insecurity across the state.
