Insecurity: Edo Warns Cultists Against 7/7 Celebration

The Edo State Government has warned cultists in the state, especially members of Aye confraternity, against celebrating 7/7 across the state.

It vowed to deal ruthlessly with cultists found celebrating at any gathering.

This warning came after two suspected cultists were arrested at Uromi, Esan North East local government area and Auchi, Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The two suspected cultists, Muhammed Oakumhe and Omukoro Aghogho, were nabbed with two pump-action guns by a team led by the Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City, the spokesman for the Edo State Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultism, Noah Idemudia, said the suspects were arrested following actionable intelligence.

Idemudia warned cultists in the state to cancel any intention to celebrate the 7/7 day.

According to him, “We are warning those involved in criminal activities in Edo State to stay clear. Tomorrow, 7 July, is the celebration of cultists’ day. You cannot cultivate that action in Edo State. If they have the plan, it is better to cancel the intention to celebrate Founders Day.

Idemudia said the deadline issued to business owners in the state to install CCTV within their premises would expire on 31 July.

He appealed to business owners to obey the directives before the deadline.

His words, “We advise business owners”s to abide by the directive. The Governor has set a deadline: by 1 August, all business owners must have CCTV. We will go around to force business owners to install CCTV. This will help us a long way in tackling crimes and criminality. We urged them to comply so that Edo will be a safe place.

“We will send an invitation”  to Okagheles (community youth leaders) for profiling. The Governor is serious about this. I want all community elders to comply. We know community is a traditional issue. We are working in line with the Palace. Anybody who impersonates as an Okaghele will be arrested.”

The two suspects said they have renounced their membership but that they were not licensed to own the firearms.

Also, the leadership of NBM of Africa Worldwide has distanced itself from any 7 July celebration, declaring that there is no such event, neither recognised nor authorised by the organisation and warning that anyone linking it to the celebration risks legal action.

The Legal Adviser of the organisation, Prince (Barr.) Ezekwesiri Nwauwa made the declaration in a statement issued on Sunday, saying the clarification became necessary to properly inform security agencies, the media and the general public of the organisation’s position. The purported 7 July celebration does not form part of its constitution, official programmes, activities or calendar, stressing that it neither organises, sanctions, nor endorses the event in any form.

The organisation reaffirmed that it has no affiliation, association, or involvement whatsoever with the celebration, insisting that no individual or group has been authorised to represent it or to associate its name, identity, or insignia with the event.

It further reiterated that NBM of Africa Worldwide remains a separate and distinct legal entity from the group commonly referred to as Black Axe, maintaining that the two organisations are not connected in any way.

According to the statement, the organisation’s position was upheld by the Delta State High Court, Warri, in Suit No. EHC/210/2021, where Justice Roli Daibo Harriman, on 29 April 2024, held that NBM of Africa is separate and distinct from Black Axe and cannot be described as such.

NBM warned that any individual or group that uses its name, identity, insignia or reputation in connection with the 7 July celebration does so without its authority, adding that such conduct could attract appropriate civil and criminal proceedings where permitted under Nigerian law.