Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has formally petitioned Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi.
The Governor is seeking the immediate arrest and prosecution of the President of the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), Olorogun Ese Kakor, for allegedly forging official state documents.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, issued a statement on Monday alleging that Kakor fraudulently produced documents that falsely authorized NBM to renovate schools in the Edo South Senatorial District.
Governor Okpebholo described the act as a “criminal and deceitful attack” on the integrity of the state’s governance and administrative systems.
He said the forgery was carried out in collaboration with certain junior government officials who have already been arrested and are under investigation.
“As the Governor of Edo State, I am calling on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS to take urgent steps to arrest and prosecute Olorogun Ese Kakor for falsifying state documents,” Okpebholo stated.
He emphasized that anyone involved in the forgery scheme would face the full wrath of the law.
Additionally, the state government has revoked the land title granted to the NBM’s headquarters in the state, citing the group’s alleged involvement in acts of violence and other illegal activities.
Governor Okpebholo maintained that Edo would not allow any group to operate under the guise of a social organisation while engaging in criminality.
This move comes amid escalating concerns about cult-related violence and killings within the state.
The Edo State Government revealed that it is consulting legal experts with a view to initiating formal actions against NBM, referencing recent public declarations by self-proclaimed leaders of the group and their criticism of the demolition of a structure tied to its operations.
“The demolished structure wasn’t just a building—it served as a base for coordinating violent attacks across Benin City and other parts of the state,” Itua said.
“No responsible administration would allow such criminal hideouts to thrive.”
According to the government, the demolition was carried out in accordance with credible intelligence and the Anti-Cultism Law enacted by the state legislature.
In response to claims by NBM that it had renovated six public schools in Edo since Governor Okpebholo assumed office, the state government challenged the group to produce a detailed list of those schools, along with evidence of renovations and proper government authorization.
“Failure to provide this information will attract swift legal consequences, including charges of defamation, false claims, and tampering with public property,” the statement warned.
To strengthen security in the affected area, the government also announced plans to establish a divisional police station on the same land where the alleged cult-linked facility once stood.
“The demolition of more structures tied to cult activities is imminent,” said Itua. “Governor Okpebholo remains committed to eradicating cultism from every corner of Edo State.”
The governor also reaffirmed that he has no affiliations with any cult group and declared that his administration’s priority is the safety and well-being of the people of Edo State.
“Let there be no confusion—Edo will never serve as a sanctuary for cultists. Anyone involved in such acts should stop now or leave the state,” he warned.
Governor Okpebholo concluded by stating that the state’s Anti-Cultism Law will continue to be strictly enforced.
