Edo youths under the eagis “The Edo Youth Peace Coalition”, led by Mr. Paul Adewale John Izeghaegbe on Thursday with placards bearing inscriptions such as: “Say no to- Youth restiveness, drug abuse, cult killings, communal violence and cyber bullying,” took to the streets of Benin City in a sensitization rally aimed at combating cult-related activities and violence.
The rally comes in response to a growing concern voiced by Governor Godwin Obaseki regarding the alarming rise in cult-related homicides.
At a security council meeting on June 3, 2024, Governor Godwin Obaseki had expressed his distress, stating, “What is particularly worrisome about cultism is the related homicide that goes with cult-related activities.
From January to date, we have lost over 150 people to cult-related activities and homicide. We can’t tolerate and accept this situation anymore.”
The rally, which included a stop at the Press Centre of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), was an effort to leverage the media for broad dissemination of their message of peace.
Addressing the media, Izeghaegbe emphasized the coalition’s commitment to maintaining peace in society.
“We want to use the media as a verifiable medium for information dissemination to announce to the world that we are out to maintain peace in society,” Izeghaegbe stated.
Adding to this, Mr. Ohis Coker highlighted the group’s intention to curb unnecessary killings, pointing out that members of the coalition are mature individuals with businesses and families, far removed from the cult activities often associated with younger demographics.
“Members of this group are not students. We have gone past the stage you can call us cultists. We are fathers. We have businesses that we do. We are no longer on that page. That is why we are trying to appeal to the youths because of their involvement in social vices; and at a slight provocation, they go into things they are not supposed to do. They kill at the slightest provocation because of their involvement with drugs. That is why we are out here on this rally,” Coker explained.
The coalition was warmly received by NUJ officials. On behalf of the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, Secretary of Council Comrade Andy Egbon commended the initiative and expressed hope for its success.
“You are partners in progress in moving Edo State forward. This initiative states so. We are all against killings. Most of the killings that happened in Edo State in the last six months, either directly or indirectly, have affected all,” Egbon noted.
Egbon also advised the group to remain vigilant against potential infiltration by disgruntled youths who might seek to disrupt the rally and tarnish its peaceful intentions.
