The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the State has continued to record a drastic reduction in the incidents of cultism and homicide since the setup of the special task force against cultism.
The special task force headed by the Director of the Department of State Service (DSS) was set up in May 2024 to review and address every cult-related incident in the State.
Obaseki, on Wednesday, said the incidence dropped from 129 in May when the team was set up to 79 in June and 50 in July.
The governor spoke while briefing journalists after the monthly Security Council meeting held at the EXCO Chamber, in Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Obaseki, who also welcomed the new Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo, who is attending the Security Council meeting for the first time, said the government will sustain the collaboration with the police and other security agencies to ensure peace and security in the State.
The governor said, “We just finished the Security Council meeting where we reviewed the security situation in Edo State. We welcomed our new Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, who resumed duty last week and is attending the Security Council meeting for the first time.
“We used the opportunity to also review our monthly incidence report and observed that the incidence of cultism and homicide have reduced drastically since we set up the committee on cultism. In fact, we saw the total incidence drop from the 79 reported last month (June) to 50 in the month of July.
“You will recall that the committee was set up in May when the total incidence had risen to an all-time high of 129 cases of crime for the month of May, mainly driven by cultism, homicide, and drugs. Since that committee swung into action, we have seen remarkable success. The incidence dropped from 129 in May to 79 in June and to a further 50 incidents in July. August till date, we have also seen a similar trend.”
Obaseki added, “Many arrests have been made and we are assuring that we will commence prosecution. We were assured by the relevant authorities that from evidence gathered so far, we should be able to secure prosecutions.”
On his part, the Police Commissioner called for the collaboration of all stakeholders to sustain peace and security in the State.
He noted, “We have to key into the success being recorded in the State by making sure that we collectively ensure that there is peace in the State. I call on the good people of Edo state and my sister security agencies, including the military to give the necessary support to ensure that there is peace in the State. We have discussed at length on how to sustain peace and security in the State and this will be carried out successfully without any problems.”