Edo govt laments rising widows, fatherless children from cult-related killings 

The Edo State Government has lamented the negative impact of cult-related killings, noting that they have increased the number of widows and fatherless children in society.

DAILY POST reports that 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 all stakeholders to collaborate with the government in combating drug abuse, cultism, and cult-related crimes in the state.

He said that in a bid to tackle the menace, the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration has taken the campaign directly to schools to sensitise students on the dangers associated with drug abuse, cultism, and related crimes.

According to him, the campaign is aimed at catching children young.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Idemudia Noah, said the state governor had declared zero tolerance for drug abuse and cultism.

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 is also the Principal Security Officer (PSO) to Governor Monday Okpebholo, said that the squad, alongside security agencies and other stakeholders, visited Ihogbe College, Akenzua Senior Secondary School, Edo Boys High School, and others as part of the campaign.

He added that the state government initially focused its campaign on the general public but later shifted strategy to target students directly.

He disclosed that the campaign, which began in Edo South, would be extended to the Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.

“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,” he said.

On his part, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, described cultism, drug abuse, and substance dependency as critical social threats that continue to endanger communities.

Agbonayinma, who was also a guest speaker at the event, said cultism, drug abuse, and substance dependency destroy young lives and undermine the future of society.

He called on students to join the fight against cultism and drug abuse, stressing that neither cultism nor drug abuse is an option.

He also urged students to disassociate themselves from the scourge, warning that it could destroy their lives and futures.

In his remarks, the Junior Principal of Edo Boys High School, Mr Usiobafo Nicholas, commended the governor for the initiative and appealed for the creation of anti-cultism clubs in secondary schools across the state’s 18 local government areas to further spread the message.

Students of Ihogbe College, including the Head Girl, Aisosa Osakpamwan, and the Head Boy, Blessed Edomwonyi, thanked the governor for his efforts, noting that the campaign was timely and would help curb cultism in schools across the state.

Edo govt laments rising widows, fatherless children from cult-related killings