Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, demanding the swift arrest and prosecution of the President of the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), Olorogun Ese Kakor, over the alleged forgery of official state documents.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo accused Kakor of forging documents that falsely claimed government approval for the NBM to undertake renovation projects in public schools across Edo South Senatorial District.
Describing the act as “a fraudulent and criminal assault on Edo State’s governance framework,” Okpebholo disclosed that the forgery was executed in collaboration with certain junior civil servants, who have since been arrested and are under investigation.
“As Governor of Edo State, I am calling on the Inspector-General of Police and the DSS to immediately apprehend and prosecute Olorogun Ese Kakor for his involvement in the falsification of government documents,” Okpebholo declared.
He further stated that all individuals involved in the conspiracy would face the full weight of the law.
In a bold move, the governor also announced the revocation of the land title of NBM’s Edo State headquarters, citing the group’s alleged ties to unlawful and violent activities. He emphasized his administration’s zero-tolerance stance against criminal organizations masquerading as social groups.
This action comes amid rising alarm over cult-related violence in the state. The government confirmed that legal proceedings against NBM are already in motion, following confessions from self-identified members and widespread condemnation of the recent demolition of a building linked to their activities.
“That structure was more than a building; it was a breeding ground for violence across Benin City and beyond,” Itua noted. “The demolition was intelligence-led and aligned with Edo State’s Anti-Cultism Law.”
Responding to NBM’s claim of renovating six schools since Governor Okpebholo assumed office, the state demanded verifiable proof, including the names of the schools, photographic evidence, and government-issued authorization. It warned that failure to provide these would lead to lawsuits for defamation, misinformation, and unauthorized work on state property.
To cement its security agenda, the government revealed plans to construct a divisional police station on the site of the recently demolished NBM-linked building, marking a permanent presence in the area.
“We’re not done yet,” Itua affirmed. “More demolitions of properties associated with cultists and criminal groups will follow. The Okpebholo administration is resolute in purging Edo State of all traces of cultism.”
Governor Okpebholo distanced himself from any cult affiliations, past or present, and reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to protecting citizens and upholding the rule of law.
“Edo State will never serve as a sanctuary for cultists,” he warned. “Anyone engaged in such activities should either abandon them immediately or leave the state.”
He concluded by reaffirming that the state’s Anti-Cultism Law remains active and will be strictly enforced.
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