Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the establishment of a Special Security Squad designed to combat the escalating threats of kidnapping and cultism across the state.
This decisive move is part of the administration’s broader strategy to address the persistent insecurity that has plagued various parts of Edo State.
The new security initiative, aptly titled Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, will be spearheaded by the Office of the Principal Security Officer (PSO) to the Governor.
The operation will be jointly coordinated by the PSO and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) at the Edo State Government House, ensuring direct oversight from the highest levels of state security leadership.
Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, disclosed this development in a statement released yesterday. He lamented that the state has, for years, struggled with deepening security challenges, particularly rampant cultism and targeted kidnappings. These criminal activities, he noted, have left many communities destabilized and citizens living in fear.
Itua identified Benin City, Ekpoma, Auchi, and their surrounding communities as the epicentres of these security threats. These areas have frequently reported incidents of broad daylight abductions, cult-related murders, and extortion carried out by criminal gangs who operate with alarming impunity.
“This sustained wave of insecurity has not only disrupted local economies but has also triggered the flight of investors who perceive the environment as unsafe for business,” the statement read. “Residents have been forced to live under a cloud of fear, and social life in affected areas has significantly deteriorated.”
Governor Okpebholo, since his assumption of office, has placed security at the forefront of his administration’s priorities. One of his earliest policy declarations was the offer of amnesty and reintegration programs targeted at repentant cultists, encouraging them to abandon criminal lifestyles and contribute positively to society.
The initiative initially recorded modest successes, as some former cult members embraced the program and became involved in community policing and civic education efforts.
However, the state government acknowledged that the persistence of hardened criminal elements necessitated a stronger and more tactical response.
As such, a formal memo dated July 11, 2025, detailed plans for the new security operation, which will work in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other sister security agencies.
The joint effort will focus on dismantling cult networks and kidnapping syndicates across all 18 local government areas of Edo State.
The statement further explained that the squad will comprise carefully screened and profiled operatives, including able-bodied men drawn from diverse backgrounds such as repentant cultists, local hunters, and members of vigilante groups.
This blend of local knowledge and experience is expected to bolster the squad’s effectiveness in confronting criminal gangs entrenched in various communities.
With Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, the Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace, safeguarding lives and property, and reviving the socio-economic vibrancy of the state.