The Edo State Government has expressed its deepest regrets over the tragic toll that cult-related murders have had on the community, highlighting the alarming rise in the number of orphans and widows.
This was stated by John Izegaegbe, Secretary of the Edo State Special Security Squad, often called “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists,” during the launch of the state government’s campaign against cultism and drug abuse in Benin City on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, according to Gistcon.
In an effort to curb cultism, drug misuse, and crimes associated with cults in the state, Izegaegbe urged all relevant parties to work together with the government.
Taking the campaign to schools to warn kids about the risks of drug usage, cultism, and related crimes is one way the administration led by Governor Monday Okpebholo is trying to combat the problem, he added. He claims that the campaign is targeting younger audiences.
The state governor of Edo has reportedly issued a zero-tolerance policy on drug misuse and cultism, according to Idemudia Noah, who is the coordinator of the state’s special security squad.
He elaborated by saying that “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists”—the Edo State Special Security Squad—was formed as a result of the proclamation.
Among the schools visited by the squad, other stakeholders, and security agencies during the campaign were Ihogbe College, Akenzua Senior Secondary School, Edo Boys High School, and others, according to Noah, who is also the Principal Security Officer (PSO) to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
In addition, he mentioned that the state government modified its marketing strategy to directly target students after initially focusing on the wider public. Having started in Edo South, he said that the campaign would now cover Edo North and Edo Central as well.
“After introducing the campaign to the general public, our next step is to spread the word to elementary, middle, and high schools as well as colleges and universities. Students at elementary and secondary schools are increasingly participating as well.
To make sure cultism is completely gone from the state, Governor Okpebholo told us to go to the people. The battle against this evil will gain significant traction if it begins in secondary schools.
Edo South was our starting point; from there, we’ll head north and central Edo. The word will go out all over the country from Edo State, he promised.
According to Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, a former lawmaker from the Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, cultism, drug misuse, and substance dependency are serious societal problems that pose a threat to communities even today.
The event’s other featured speaker, Agbonayinma, lamented the loss of youth and the society’s potential due to cultism, drug misuse, and substance dependency.
Neither cultism nor drug addiction is acceptable, he emphasised, and he urged students to take part in the battle against them.
The threat it posed to students’ lives and prospects was another reason he pleaded with them to distance themselves from the plague.
Mr. Usiobafo Nicholas, junior principal of Edo Boys High School, praised the governor for the move and urged secondary schools in all 18 LGAs in the state to form anti-cult clubs so the message could be pushed even farther.
Aisosa Osakpamwan, head girl, and Blessed Edomwonyi, head boy, were among the students who expressed gratitude to the governor for the initiative, saying that it was well-timed and will contribute to the fight against cultism in the state’s educational institutions.