The war against cultism in Edo State took a new turn on Monday evening as Governor Monday Okpebholo called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, to arrest and prosecute the President of the Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa (Black Axe), Olorogun Ese Kakor.
He also said that the title document of the land on which the group built its secretariat, which was recently demolished, has been revoked by the government because the palace was allegedly being used for violent crimes.
A statement by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said the governor stated these in a petition made to the security agencies.
“Governor Okpebholo further insisted that the land title on which the NBM headquarters was erected in Edo State has been revoked, citing the organisation’s alleged involvement in violent crimes and unlawful activities within the state.”
He said the governor urged both the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS to intensify their efforts in curbing the operations of groups allegedly involved in criminality and to ensure that those responsible for these acts are brought to justice.
The statement quoted the governor as accusing Kakor of forging government documents, which allegedly authorised him to provide assistance to schools in Edo South Senatorial District. The act, he said, was not only fraudulent but a direct assault on the integrity of the state’s administrative processes.