The Edo State government has signed the Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Bill, 2025, into law, providing stiffer penalties for anyone involved in cult-related issues.
With this signing, the Edo State Secret Cult Prohibition Law, 2018 has been repealed.
Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, said with this law now in place, anyone who kills in cult-related activities would get a death sentence, while those who sponsor cult activities in whatever way would be liable to 21 years imprisonment.
Itua noted that ten years of imprisonment await those accommodating cultists or allowing them to use their property for cult activities, stressing that such property would be demolished.
According to Itua, the new law signifies the state government’s commitment to restoring peace, security, and order in Edo State.
“This law is not just about punishment; it is about protecting lives and securing the future of Edo State. Cult activities have robbed many young people of their potential, turning them into instruments of violence rather than contributors to society. With this legislation, Edo people are taking Edo State back from the hands of criminals and ensuring that families, businesses, and communities can thrive without fear.
Cult activities in Edo State have been a persistent challenge, contributing to insecurity, violence, and social unrest in the region.
Cities like Benin City, the state capital, have witnessed recurring gang wars between well-known cult groups such as the , Eiye Confraternity, Vikings, and others. These clashes often escalate during political campaigns, as some politicians are accused of using cult members as enforcers or to intimidate opponents.
The resulting violence destabilizes neighborhoods, disrupts economic activities, and creates an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
Between July and December 2023, the state recorded approximately 135 fatalities due to cult-related incidents and communal clashes. Further data indicates that from January 2021 to December 2023, over 180 deaths were attributed to gang violence, with a notable resurgence in December 2023, where over 30 individuals were killed in clashes between rival cult groups.
In response to the alarming increase in cult-related activities and homicides in the region, the state government banned the activities of Okaigheles and cultists in the Edo South communities.
These statistics underscore the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to address cultism in Edo State, focusing on both preventive measures and effective enforcement to curb the associated violence and loss of life.
