Okpebholo to police: End cult clashes in Edo within 48 hours

Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has directed Umoru Ozigi, the state’s commissioner of police, to end cultism in the state “within 48 hours”. 

In a statement by Fred Itua, the governor’s chief press secretary, Okpebholo described cultism as a “madness,” noting that “we must end it and very fast too”.

“As the Governor of Edo State, cultism cannot be allowed here. We must end it, and very fast too,” the statement reads.

“I have ordered the commissioner of police to halt the madness within 48 years [sic]. All those involved in the killings should be stopped.

“Some associations that are causing trouble in the state, especially in Benin City, cannot be allowed to operate here.

“They all remain banned, and the commissioner of police must ensure that his men carry out this instruction by giving teeth to this ban.

“Edo must be safe. That was one of my key priorities during the campaigns, and I plan to ensure that we restore it at all costs. We will not fold our arms and allow them to create unnecessary tension.”

The governor also banned the state’s Drivers Welfare Association and Network Empowerment (DWA).

The directives came a day after Okpebholo ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of revenue collection in the state, including at motor parks.