The Edo State Government has revealed that approximately 135 lives were lost due to activities related to cults and community clashes in the state between July and December 2023. Governor Godwin Obaseki disclosed this information during a press briefing in Benin City after the inaugural Security Council Meeting for 2024, which involved discussions with security chiefs in the state.
Governor Obaseki explained that the 135 fatalities were among the 500 recorded crime cases during the specified period. He emphasized that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, is actively working to combat violent crimes and address the issue of cultism in the state.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the governor shared that December alone witnessed 83 criminal incidents, with 24 of them being homicide-related cases. He underscored the need for a concerted effort to understand and address the specific factors contributing to the high incidence of homicide in the state.
Governor Obaseki further mentioned that the Security Council, in response to the concerning statistics, has tasked the Commissioner of Public Safety, Kingsley Uwagbale, with collaborating with security agencies to address the issue of cultism in the state. He outlined the two-pronged approach, involving thorough investigation and prosecution of cult-related crimes and increased public awareness, to effectively tackle the menace of cultism in Edo State.