Cultism renunciation: Okpebholo sends chilly message to unrepentant practitioners
• Says there is no colour in Edo!
From our Bureau Chief, Benin
The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has sent a strong worded message to unrepentant members of cultism declaring; it is either they do away with the infamous practice now the opportunity exists or they squarely face the fallout of its bitter consequences.
(C), Sen. Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo State and members of Edo State Special Committee Against Cultism and Violent Crimes
The Governor sent the message on Monday, 12 October, 2026 in Benin-City, the State Capital at the well attended event of renunciation by repentant members.
Cultism: Crowd at the renounciation event
The event that was organised by the Government Special Committee Against Cultism and Violent Crimes; brought together a massive crowd of residents the majority of whom; were youths and members of the various cult groups who decided to voluntarily repent and embrace a new life free from violence and criminality.
Governor Okpebholo while addressing the gathering, commended the repented persons for choosing to do away with the life of cultism.
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“let me sincerely thank all of you who have chosen to put an end to living the life of cultism. You have chosen the right path; you have chosen to save your life and you have also chosen to remove tears from your family.
“You have chosen to save the society and today; you have chosen to make a meaningful impact in society.”
The obviously humane Governor displaying the sense of genuineness and commitment to a course; noted the repented persons were able to publicly renounce cultism “because there is nothing to fear.”
As he declared; “On our part, we are not afraid to go after them. Please take the message back home; the remaining ones who have refused to change: unrepentant cultists who think that they still have the power; please tell them; if they are caught, no mercy!
“The security agencies are there to support us at any time. The commissioner of Police is hungry to demolish any house and I am hungry too to give the directive!
“Let me make you know today that I have the blessings of the President to make Edo crime free. If there is one thing Mr. President is happy about, is making Edo free of criminality.”
The Governor in his humaneness and magnanimity however assured: “I want to let you know that those who have renounced cultism, there is something awesome awaiting you!”
Therefore, he directed the profiling of all the repentant persons, and stated; “I will invite you again but this time, it will be to the Government House. So that you can take what rightly belongs to you; going into the business that you wish to do.”
Further, proving that he was alive to his responsibility in governance, the Governor stated; “the oath I swore to; is to protect Edo people and this I must carry out without fear or favour to anybody.
“Even if that person is my child, I won’t know you at that moment. So, I want this message to go far to those people who still think they can continue the inglorious activities of cultism unchecked. Let them know there is no hiding place for criminality in Edo State.”
Disclosing why his hardened resolve to tame cultism, violence and all related crime and criminalities in the State, the Governor recalled that when his administration resumed work, records indicated that within the short space of three, four months no less than 400 persons have died just for nothing via killings.
Also, in his early days in office, the forces of criminalities did dare him and “within five days, we lost five people and I said this must stop.”
Continuing; with the air of finality, Okpebholo declared: “let me also announce to you there is no colour in Edo. If there is no colour in Edo, we are all brothers!”
“Let me tell you; our eyes, our ears are everywhere. If you think we will not hear, we will hear. Within five, ten minutes that crime is being committed, we are already aware and we know where you are.
