From Moshood Karim
The Edo State House of Assembly has issued a grave warning over the recent escalation in cult-related violence, urging urgent enforcement of the State’s anti-cultism legislation to stem the bloodshed.
Raising the issue as a matter of public importance during Wednesday’s plenary, Mr Bright Iyamu (APC, Orhionmwon South) lamented the spate of killings linked to rival cult groups, describing the situation as a “full-blown crisis” that is spreading unchecked.
Iyamu cited recent incidents, including the killing of a medical doctor at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and a separate shooting in the G.R.A. area of Benin City last Friday, as evidence of the alarming trend.
“The State is overwhelmed by fear. No one knows who the next victim will be,” Iyamu told fellow lawmakers. “We cannot sit idly while cultists continue to claim innocent lives.”
He reminded the Assembly of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law 2025, which outlaws cultism and related activities in all parts of Edo. According to Iyamu, Section 4 of the law leaves no ambiguity regarding the prohibition of secret cults.
In his motion, Iyamu called on the State government, police, and other security agencies to intensify enforcement efforts and adopt stringent measures to deter further violence. He also urged local vigilantes and youth groups to assist authorities in identifying and reporting cult activities in their communities.
Further, he appealed for collaboration between the government and media to raise awareness of the anti-cultism law and its implications for violators.
Several lawmakers supported the motion, pressing the State government to implement the law in full and ensure that perpetrators are apprehended, prosecuted, and punished accordingly.
Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, directed that clean copies of the Assembly’s resolution be dispatched to the appropriate government and security bodies for immediate action.
In other legislative matters, the Assembly passed two bills: one to establish the Edo State Public Private Partnership aimed at enhancing infrastructure and service delivery, and another to enact the Edo State School of Nursing, Health Science and Technology in Udomi.
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