Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has granted amnesty to at least 500 persons who voluntarily renounced cultism as part of efforts to tackle insecurity and promote peace in the state.
The beneficiaries renounced their membership of cult groups on Monday, October 12, 2026, during an event organised by the Edo State Special Security Squad (ESSS) in Benin City.
Speaking at the event, Okpebholo commended the youths for abandoning cultism and embracing the opportunity to rebuild their lives. However, he warned that anyone who returned to cult-related activities would face prosecution.
He urged other cultists who had yet to renounce their membership to take advantage of the initiative, stressing that his administration would not tolerate criminality.
According to the governor, his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property, adding that security agencies had been directed to intensify operations against kidnappers, cultists and other criminal elements.
Okpebholo also vowed to demolish buildings used for criminal activities and insisted that nobody would be shielded from the law, regardless of their relationship with him.
He disclosed that he had the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his efforts to make Edo State free of criminal activities.
The governor recalled that shortly after assuming office on November 12, 2024, the state experienced a disturbing wave of killings linked to cult-related violence.
He lamented that five people were reportedly killed within five days at the time, describing the loss of innocent lives as unacceptable.
Okpebholo warned that security agencies were monitoring criminal activities across the state and would pursue anyone involved in such acts.
Also speaking, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, described cultism as a destructive path that had deprived many young people of their lives and promising futures.
He commended the governor for introducing the amnesty initiative, describing it as an opportunity for the beneficiaries to start afresh and contribute positively to society.
Daaor urged the repentant cultists to embrace the second chance offered to them and avoid returning to criminal activities.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, said the state was becoming increasingly hostile to criminal elements while creating a safer environment for investors and legitimate businesses.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to become advocates of peace and join the government’s campaign against cultism, kidnapping and other antisocial activities.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the ESSS, Noah Idemudia, said the squad had made significant contributions to the fight against crime since its establishment, attributing its achievements to the governor’s political will and support.
The amnesty programme forms part of the state government’s broader efforts to curb cult-related violence, protect residents and create a more secure environment for economic activities.