The Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, has said the State government led by principal, has vowed to flush out cultism and cult-related activities in all parts of the state.
He also said that State government cannot be blackmailed or intimidated by any group.
Iyoha spoke while reacting to a viral audio attacking him and the clampdown on suspected cultists in their hideouts in the State.
He said with support from security agencies, cultism would become history in the state, adding that the strategy being deployed would be extended to tertiary institutions in the state even as he declared that the government cannot be intimidated or blackmailed.
It was gathered that Iyoha was instrumental to the recent raiding of several hideouts of different cult groups in parts of Benin City including Ekosodin, largely populated by students, some of who are suspected to be cultists.
It is believed that cultists run to Ekosodin hideout and a hotel in Oluku said to be owned by a popular politician and businessman, which was being used by a particular cult group and another hotel in Iyoha along NIFOR Road said to be used by another cult group.
The Chief of Staff told journalists that, “Those attacking me are the ones trying to hide and they are becoming tired of hiding because they can no longer be accommodated by their benefactors.
“We learnt that they killed somebody again last night but that will not deter us. We are going to flush them out this time, we are ready to confront them, I am personally involved in it. We already have a team that understands these cultists and they have also resolved that they are taking their hands off cultism.”
Referring to cultists, he said the State government was “coming after you if you are a killer, if you are a cultist and you don’t want to stop the activities.”
Iyoha said those who were ready to leave cultism would be profiled and their biometrics and that all of the rival cult groups would know each other and check each other’s activities to maintain peace in the land.
It would be recalled that a few days ago, the state government through the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq, warned against violence and terror in the state.
Part of the statement reads: “The State Government has taken actions to quell the violence and irresponsible acts even as suspects have been apprehended and taken into custody.
“We stress without equivocation that no matter the campaign of terror, resort to violence and evil ploy to blackmail and tarnish the image of government, the State will stop at nothing and spare no expense in fishing out any perpetrator of these criminal activities.
“The State Government therefore advises parents and guardians to restrain their children and wards from engaging in actions that imperil the lives of others, which is intended to create a sense of insecurity in the State. No one will be spared, and we will ensure that the long arm of the Law catches up with anyone found culpable in these dastardly acts.”
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