Obaseki Draws Battle Line with Oba of Benin, Insists on Ban of Youth Leaders

The Edo State Government has drawn a battle line with the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, insisting that there will be no reversal on the ban of Okaigheles (youth leaders) in the seven local government areas of Edo South in the Benin Kingdom.

Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in Edo, explained in a statement that the ban on the activities of Okaigheles and cultists is aimed at curbing violence in Edo communities. Governor Obaseki, on June 3, reported that over 150 residents of Edo State had lost their lives to cult-related activities and homicides in less than six months (from January 2024).

The governor announced the ban on Okaigheles’ activities in the seven LGAs of the Edo South senatorial district: Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Ovia North East, Ovia South West, Orhionmwon, and Uhunmwonde. Speaking to reporters at the Government House in Benin after a closed-door meeting with Edo state security chiefs, Obaseki said the ban is part of renewed efforts to tackle cultism in Edo.

However, the palace of the Oba of Benin maintained on Friday that the activities of the youth leaders had not been banned in the Benin Kingdom, asserting that Okaigheles are a part of the longstanding Benin traditional administrative structure. The Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah, addressed the protesting Edo South Okaigheles, who sought the palace’s intervention, assuring them that the palace would dialogue with the Edo State Government on the issue and urging them to maintain peace and order in their domains.

In response, the Edo Commissioner said: “The Edo State Security Council’s data has shown that these two groups: Okaigheles and cultists, pose the most severe threat to the security and stability of the state, resulting in the council’s decision to place a total ban on these criminal groups.”

“While we respect the tradition and customs of our communities, it is important to note that the safety and security of the residents must always come first. Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin’s contradictory statement does not change the gravity of the situation at hand, and we stand by our decision to enforce this ban on Okaigheles, to protect the lives and property of our people.

The Edo State government notes that statements like the ones made by Chief Idah would embolden criminals to take up arms against ordinary residents, military personnel, policemen, and other constitutional security agencies.

“On Friday, June 7, 2024, some so-called youths opened fire on three men of the Nigerian Army, attached to Okomu Oil Palm Plc., in Ovia Southwest Local Government Area of Edo State, injuring them and throwing the community into pandemonium. In the coming weeks, the Edo State government will proceed with a full-scale operation to disarm the criminal elements and neutralize their threats against public peace.”

He vowed that the state would not allow any individual or organization, no matter how highly placed, to undermine the efforts of the security council to protect the lives and property of the residents.

Nehikhare declared that the activities of cultists, Okaigheles, and their unnamed sponsors remained banned in Edo, and vowed that the government would spare no effort to ensure that those who flout the ban are made to face the full weight of the law.