Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared an all-out war on the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), following serious allegations of forgery and links to cult-related violence across the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, to immediately arrest and prosecute Neo Black Movement national president, Olorogun Ese Kakor. The governor accused Kakor of forging official state documents to falsely claim government approval for school renovation projects in Edo South.
According to the governor, the documents were entirely fake and part of a criminal plot to mislead the public. He described the act as a direct attack on the credibility of the state’s governance and vowed that all those involved would face the full weight of the law.
The alleged forgery was reportedly carried out with the help of a few low-level civil servants who have now been arrested and are under investigation. Governor Okpebholo assured residents that more names may be uncovered as investigations continue.
In a further move to clamp down on the group, the governor announced the immediate revocation of the land title for the NBM’s state headquarters. The building on the land, already demolished by the government, was said to have served as a base for planning violent attacks in Benin City and other parts of Edo State.
The government also revealed that the demolished site would now be used for a new divisional police station, bringing a permanent security presence to the area.
Governor Okpebholo made it clear that his administration would not allow any group—no matter how it is branded—to operate as a cover for criminal activity. He warned that more demolitions would follow if investigations link other buildings to cultism or illegal activity.
Reacting to NBM’s public claim that it had renovated six public schools since the governor assumed office, the state government demanded proof. It requested a full list of the schools, pictures or evidence of the work done, and documentation showing government approval. Failure to provide this, the governor warned, would result in legal action for defamation and unlawful interference with state infrastructure.
The governor also used the opportunity to publicly disassociate himself from all cult groups, past or present. He warned anyone involved in cultism to stop or leave the state entirely, declaring that Edo would never be a haven for criminal organisations posing as social groups.
He reminded residents that the state’s Anti-Cultism Law remains fully in force and would be strictly enforced moving forward.
