Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the formation of a Special Security Squad codenamed Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists to tackle rising insecurity across the state.
In a statement Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Owaen Fred Itua said the new task force, coordinated by the Principal Security Officer (PSO) and Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor, is aimed at dismantling kidnapping rings and cult groups operating in areas such as Benin City, Ekpoma, Auchi, and surrounding communities.
Insecurity in Edo State has worsened in recent years, with frequent cases of abductions, cult-related violence, and extortion. These incidents have disrupted local economies, forced businesses to shut down, and left residents in fear.
Governor Okpebholo, who has prioritized security since taking office, had earlier introduced a reintegration programme for repentant cultists, some of whom now support community policing efforts. However, the persistence of violent crimes prompted the launch of a more decisive response.
According to a memo dated July 11, 2025, the new operation will work closely with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to flush out criminal elements across the 18 local government areas.
The Special Squad will be composed of carefully vetted personnel, including reformed cultists, local hunters, and vigilantes, with each local government hosting its own unit. The state will provide operational vehicles and motorcycles to enhance mobility and rapid response.
Governor Okpebholo, recalling the success of a similar anti-cult initiative in Ekpoma in 2016, expressed confidence in the new operation. “We will not allow criminality to dictate the future of our state. Edo must be safe again—for our children, for investors, and for our people in the diaspora who wish to return and contribute,” he said.
Security agencies have been placed on high alert, while the Governor emphasized that professionalism, accountability, and community involvement must underpin the initiative’s implementation.
The state government believes Operation Flush Out will mark a turning point in the fight against violent crime and restore public confidence in Edo’s security architecture.
