0:00
edo state government led by Governor
0:02
Monday Ovolo has issued an executive
0:04
order blacklisting a government
0:06
registered acclaimed socioultural
0:08
organization the neolack movement NBM as
0:12
a violent organization among those
0:14
responsible for violent crimes of high
0:16
rates of secret cult related homicide
0:19
killings in the state and in a swift
0:21
reaction the president of the neolack
0:24
movement of Africa NBM Olaroguna car
0:28
while speaking with a panel of
0:29
presenters at Arise News television
0:32
during the TV program accused the
0:34
governor Monday oono of allegedly using
0:37
members of the black ax confraternity
0:39
during his election adding that the
0:41
governor never consulted with them to
0:43
know if members of black ax
0:45
confraternity are also members of the
0:47
neolack movement saying the governor is
0:50
now attacking NBM because of black axe
0:53
stressing that black axe confraternity
0:56
is a criminal organization insisting
0:59
Members of the confraternity are never
1:01
members of the NBM and shortly after the
1:04
NBM president statement large group of
1:06
youths in Edeto state led a solidarity
1:09
protest matched to the Edeto state
1:11
government house in Benin City to
1:13
express their support and willingness to
1:15
defend the government policies and
1:17
actions to stop the massive destructions
1:19
of lives and creation of young widows
1:21
and high rates of fatherless children in
1:24
the state due to secret cult activities
1:26
this assessments of some of the
1:28
pro-govern policy protesters indicated
1:31
that some of them are people who may
1:33
have identified themselves in the past
1:35
as members of the neolack movement and
1:37
they also appeared to be people very
1:39
loyal to one of the prominent leaders of
1:42
the NBM anthony Arden aka Tony Kbaka who
1:46
trended when he was interviewed about
1:47
the activities of the NBM in a BBC
1:50
documentary published by the British
1:52
Broadcasting Service some years back
1:55
addressing the progovernment policy
1:57
protesters on Monday at the state
1:59
government house in Benin City Governor
2:02
Monday said he will not listen to any
2:04
form of blackmail and he will continue
2:06
the fight to end insecurity in the state
2:09
in quotes the governor said "Yesterday I
2:13
addressed a peaceful rally by courageous
2:15
Edo youths who like me are tired of the
2:18
senseless killings and destruction
2:20
caused by cultism i told them what I'll
2:23
tell you now every Edeto life matters if
2:26
I had fallen victim to cult violence as
2:29
a young man I wouldn't be here serving
2:31
you today we will continue to act
2:34
decisively no threats no blackmail no
2:38
fear will stop us buildings linked to
2:40
cultism will be demolished criminals
2:43
will be rooted out and together with the
2:46
backing of our determined young people
2:48
we will reclaim our state edo must be
2:51
safe for our families for our future and
2:55
for the investments and opportunities we
2:57
seek to attract this is practical
2:59
governance in action and it will not
3:01
stop also on Monday the state governor
3:05
Monday through the office of the chief
3:08
press secretary Fred Ishua said that
3:11
neolack movement NBM is involved in
3:14
violent crimes in the state hence he
3:16
issued an executive order and revoked
3:18
the certificate of occupancy of land the
3:20
NBM international headquarters was
3:22
situated at a magba area in Benin city
3:25
and ordered the demolition of the house
3:28
the press release reads verbatim below
3:30
edo state governor Senator Mandevolo has
3:34
called on the inspector general of
3:36
police car Egen and the director general
3:40
of the department of state services DSS
3:43
Olawatossi to initiate the immediate
3:46
arrest and prosecution of the president
3:48
of the neolack movement NBM of Africa
3:51
Olarogon Kakor over alleged forgery of
3:55
official state government documents in
3:58
the petition the governor accused Caror
4:00
of forging government documents which
4:02
falsely claimed to authorize him to
4:05
provide assistance to schools in Edeto
4:07
South senatorial district the act he
4:11
said was not only fraudulent but a
4:13
direct assault on the integrity of the
4:15
state's administrative processes the
4:18
governor who described the act as
4:20
criminal and deceitful said the alleged
4:22
forgery was carried out in connivance
4:24
with certain low-level civil servants
4:26
within the state bureaucracy he noted
4:29
that those civil servants implicated in
4:31
the forgery have already been identified
4:33
and taken into custody and a police
4:36
investigation is currently underway to
4:38
determine their level of culpability
4:40
governor Opolo vowed that all those
4:43
found culpable will be prosecuted in
4:45
accordance with the law governor Opbolo
4:48
further insisted that the land title on
4:50
which the NBM headquarter was erected in
4:52
Edeto state has been revoked citing the
4:55
organization's alleged involvement in
4:57
violent crimes and unlawful activities
5:00
within the state the governor urged both
5:02
the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS to
5:05
intensify their efforts in curbing the
5:07
operations of groups allegedly involved
5:09
in criminality and to ensure that those
5:12
responsible for these acts are brought
5:14
to justice we have reported that in
5:17
apparent anger Edo state government
5:19
under the leadership of Governor Monday
5:21
Obo has issued a serious warning with a
5:24
strong message sent to the president of
5:26
the neolack movement of Africa nbm
5:30
Olaroguna Seekar call that the Edeto
5:32
state government has started
5:34
consultations to enable it take more
5:36
appropriate legal action against the
5:38
neolack movement saying the
5:41
international headquarters or
5:42
secretariat of the movement situated at
5:45
a magba area in Benin city that was
5:47
demolished last month by the state
5:50
government has been an enclave used for
5:52
planning and execution of secret cult
5:54
related killings by members of the
5:56
neolack movement the governor also
5:58
referred to and described as black axe
6:01
secret cult probably expressing more
6:03
anger that the leadership and members of
6:05
the neolack movement had the courage to
6:08
come out publicly to identify themselves
6:10
with the demolished building the
6:12
governor said they will be made to face
6:14
prosecution this the national president
6:16
of the neolack movement Olaroguna Kakor
6:20
while speaking in reaction to the
6:22
demolished building on arise news TV
6:24
program said the movement is not blacks
6:28
emphasizing that black ax is a criminal
6:30
organization while the neolack movement
6:32
is a social cultural organization that
6:35
promote and engage in humanitarian
6:37
services it would be recalled that we
6:40
had reported that the Edeto State Police
6:42
Command of Nigeria Police Force has
6:44
confirmed the arrest of 95 persons in
6:47
connection with the killing of more than
6:49
15 people between April 25th 2025 and
6:53
now in the renewed deadly and bloody
6:54
apparent supremacy secret cult war in
6:57
the state among members of the Black Axe
6:59
Conraternity aka a mafite confraternity
7:03
aka great men and I confraternity aka
7:06
air lords which started with the killing
7:08
of a physiootherapist simply identified
7:11
as Alex and another individual at the
7:14
University of Benin Teaching Hospital
7:16
UBTHback Gate Woo in Benin with the
7:20
Edeto state government led by Governor
7:22
Monday Obo launching a retaliatory war
7:25
against businesses and individuals
7:28
allegedly aiding secret cult killings in
7:30
the state thus sealed off at ao hotel
7:34
planned to demolish the hotel owed by
7:36
people's democratic party PDP chieftain
7:39
honorable Matthew Ida who was the
7:42
director general of Asan Agier campaign
7:45
organization in the last governorship
7:47
election in the state on the ground that
7:49
a particular secret cult group members
7:51
gathered at the aternno hotel to plan
7:54
their recent killings in the state and
7:56
in addition the Edeto state governor
7:58
also sealed off and marked a residential
8:00
building for demolition also owed by a
8:03
PDP chieftain Francis and Egenei these
8:07
particular boys you claim are cies you
8:09
patronize them during he patronizes them
8:13
he gives them money he patronizes them
8:15
during the his during their elections
8:18
once his elections they will use them
8:19
and after using them they will come back
8:22
to claim that the same boys are members
8:24
of an organization these particular
8:27
people you patronize I don't know them
8:30
you've never contacted the leadership of
8:31
the organization to find out if truly
8:34
these persons you patronize are members
8:36
of the organization so why would you go
8:39
to the international secretariat to
8:46
demolish we are here today to campaign
8:50
against cultism and drug abuse and to
8:52
also let you know and let the whole
8:54
world know that we are with you your
8:56
excellency the government of state
8:58
against the fight against cultism the
9:01
much we have lost accountable number of
9:04
youth toism and we are here to say
9:06
enough is enough whatever stringent
9:08
measures you want to take to cautism
9:10
take it and when you need our help we'll
9:14
standing sir we appreciate your efforts
9:17
and we pray that God continue to give
9:18
you strength to clean those state
9:28
if I was killed as a youth if I was in
9:31
any way shot at will I be a governor
9:34
today no so for that reason every block
9:43
I am proud that people have taken this
9:46
time to say we should not lost any blood
9:51
they want to kill our Jews they want to
9:54
kill Edo people and we will not accept
9:56
let them make noise from here to
9:57
anywhere i will not listen to them
10:03
edo state government under the
10:04
leadership of Governor Mandolo has
10:07
explained and given wider clarifications
10:09
to the new anti-kidnapping laws in the
10:11
state with specifications that friend or
10:14
family member of suspected kidnapper or
10:17
any person suspected to have made an
10:19
attempt to kidnap discovering such
10:21
friend or family member to have hidden
10:23
or provide a temporary stay or shelter
10:25
to the criminal suspect with complete
10:28
disregard to the level of innocency such
10:30
a friend or family member may be found
10:32
to be in connection with the crime the
10:35
new laws stipulate 14 years imprisonment
10:37
with no option of fine for such shelter
10:40
provider or providers this the Edeto
10:43
state government published the
10:44
clarification a day after the government
10:46
demolished a house of an elder sister of
10:48
suspected kidnap gang member along
10:51
college road at Aduawa area in Benin
10:54
City simply because the suspect was
10:56
living in the house according to the
10:58
news reporters broadcasted by Oella
11:00
television with additional information
11:02
that the elder sister of the suspect is
11:04
not living in Nigeria she has been in
11:07
abroad where she has been working and
11:08
providing financial support to her
11:10
younger brother who got himself into the
11:13
crime of kidnapping business for a
11:16
350,000 naira the Edeto state government
11:20
while giving the clarification through
11:22
the office of the press secretary to the
11:24
governor in a news feature in which the
11:26
chief press secretary Freda titled a
11:29
step-by-step breakdown of new kidnapping
11:31
prohibition law in Edo state said the
11:34
new laws were with stringent principles
11:36
to deter people from going into
11:38
kidnapping and providing any form of aid
11:40
to suspected kidnappers with a view to
11:42
guarantee public safety and restore
11:44
confidence in the law enforcement and
11:46
judicial system in the state in his
11:49
words the governor press secretary said
11:52
in Edo state governor Monday Obo and
11:55
members of the state house of assembly
11:57
are united in taking a firm stand
11:59
against the escalating threat of
12:01
kidnapping the Edeto state house of
12:04
assembly has passed the kidnapping
12:06
prohibition amendment law 2025
12:10
this amended legislation marks a bold
12:12
legislative milestone aimed at
12:14
tightening the new song kidnappers their
12:16
accompllices and enablers it reflects a
12:20
sharpened resolve by the government to
12:22
enhance public safety and restore
12:24
confidence in law enforcement and
12:25
judicial systems within the state under
12:29
this amended law the penalties for
12:31
kidnapping have been significantly
12:33
strengthened in what is considered one
12:35
of the most stringent anti-kidnapping
12:37
frameworks in the country the law
12:40
prescribes the death penalty for anyone
12:41
who is directly involved in the act of
12:44
kidnapping where a life is lost for
12:47
cases where victims survive the ordeal a
12:49
convicted kidnapper now faces life
12:51
imprisonment a stern departure from
12:54
lighter sentences in previous enactments
12:57
furthermore the law introduces a minimum
12:59
sentence of 21 years for anyone who aids
13:02
abetss conspires or attempts to commit
13:05
the offense of kidnapping reflecting the
13:08
government's intention to criminalize
13:09
not just the act itself but the entire
13:12
chain of support behind it another
13:14
groundbreaking aspect of the amendment
13:16
is the provision targeting those who
13:18
provide shelter hideouts or logistical
13:21
support to kidnappers such individuals
13:25
regardless of whether they directly
13:27
participated in the crime are now liable
13:29
to a minimum of 14 years imprisonment
13:32
upon conviction this sweeping clause is
13:35
designed to dismantle the ecosystem that
13:37
enables the planning and execution of
13:39
abductions closing loopholes that
13:41
perpetrators have long exploited
13:44
moreover the law broadens the scope of
13:46
what constitutes kidnapping it now
13:49
includes compelling another person
13:50
through threats or deceit into
13:52
confinement regardless of the duration
13:54
or nature of the detention this
13:57
redefinition seeks to capture a wider
14:00
array of tactics employed by criminals
14:02
especially those that do not involve
14:04
traditional hostage taking scenarios but
14:07
still infringe on the liberty of
14:09
individuals notably the amendment also
14:12
criminalizes the act of negotiating
14:14
ransom any individual who receives
14:17
offers or facilitates the exchange of
14:20
ransom payments whether a relative of
14:22
the victim or otherwise is now at risk
14:24
of prosecution the law aims to break the
14:27
cycle of financial incentives that have
14:30
fueled the persistence of the crime
14:32
making it less lucrative for
14:33
perpetrators in the same vein the
14:36
possession of property whether movable
14:38
or immovable acquired through ransom
14:41
proceeds is now a criminal offense
14:43
subject to forfeite and other legal
14:46
consequences the kidnapping prohibition
14:49
amendment law 2025 also includes clauses
14:53
that ensure the protection of witnesses
14:55
and victims during prosecution it
14:57
mandates confidentiality for witnesses
15:00
and safeguards them from potential
15:02
reprisals this is an important provision
15:04
given the fear and reluctance often
15:06
associated with testifying against
15:09
dangerous criminals and it signals a
15:11
move towards a more victimsensitive
15:13
justice system this new law comes in
15:16
response to the growing calls from civil
15:18
society security experts and the general
15:21
public for tougher legislations to curb
15:23
the surge in abductions which has not
15:26
only threatened lives but has also
15:28
hampered economic activities and shaken
15:30
communal peace the Edeto state
15:33
government's decision to adopt such
15:34
comprehensive and tough measures sends a
15:37
clear message that it will no longer
15:38
tolerate acts of criminality that
15:40
violate the sanctity of human freedom as
15:44
the state implements the provisions of
15:45
this law emphasis will be placed on
15:48
training law enforcement offices
15:50
sensitizing the judiciary and educating
15:53
the public on the implications of the
15:54
amendments this multi-pronged approach
15:57
is necessary to ensure the law's
15:59
effectiveness and to build a safer Edo
16:01
state where citizens can live without
16:03
fear the governor press secretary
16:07
stated Edo state police commissioner
16:10
Monday Abonika has cautioned operators
16:12
of point of sale POSOS to be careful
16:15
while allowing men of the Nigeria police
16:17
force NPF in unmarked vehicles to
16:20
transact with them with specific
16:22
instructions that the POSOS operators in
16:24
the state must henceforth demand and
16:26
keep the official records of such
16:28
policemen or policemen he or she decides
16:31
to do business with before initiating
16:33
any finan financial transaction with the
16:35
security operatives the commissioner of
16:38
police made this known on Thursday after
16:40
he hosted a group of stakeholders in the
16:42
entertainment industry in the state to a
16:45
meeting held at the commissioner's
16:47
office on Tuesday following the massive
16:49
public outcry which include voices from
16:52
some popular entertainment celebrities
16:54
like Aua Gift SOA aka Edo Princess
16:58
Lawrence Oseno aka MC Casino Badamosi
17:02
Abonor Jonathan aka Edo Pikin among
17:05
others who trend on social media the
17:07
allegations of policemen constantly
17:09
harassing and extorting money from young
17:12
Nigerians in the ancient city Benin City
17:15
the Edeto state capital the allegations
17:17
apparently gave further sufficient
17:19
strength to the virtual evidence of a
17:21
white lady seen on social media on April
17:24
27th 2025 video recording group of
17:27
policemen along the airport road in
17:29
Benin City who allegedly turned official
17:32
roadblock of stop and search to prevent
17:34
crime into a criminal ambush of
17:36
threatening to attack innocent citizens
17:38
probably to rob them at gunpoint by thus
17:40
forcing them to pay them certain amount
17:42
of money through the aid of a posos
17:45
operator also during the week the
17:48
commissioner of police in Edo State held
17:50
a meeting with the state resident
17:52
anti-corruption commissioner of the
17:54
independent corrupt practices and other
17:56
related offenses commission ICPC IO
18:00
Primo where both discussed ways to curb
18:02
acts of extortions in the state csp
18:05
Moses Yamu the Edo State Police Command
18:08
public relations officer in a statement
18:10
made available on Thursday stated that
18:12
the Edeto State Command is aware of some
18:15
social media reports alleging policemen
18:17
involvement in certain acts of
18:19
harassment and/or extortion in the state
18:22
in a deliberate effort to checkmate and
18:24
arrest the situation the Edeto state
18:27
commissioner of police CP Monday
18:29
Agernica FDC has mapped out some steps
18:33
part of which was an engagement with
18:34
social media influences in the state
18:37
held in his office on the 13th of May
18:39
2025 and directed the immediate reform
18:42
of the anti-money laundering unit cp
18:45
Abonikica further directed that
18:48
henceforth one all policemen in the
18:50
state tactical teams area commands and
18:54
other special teams must have their name
18:56
tags sewn permanently on their uniforms
18:59
two all unmarked vehicles used by the
19:02
aforementioned teams must carry stickers
19:04
on the front and both sides of the
19:06
vehicle while on any assignment three
19:10
all posos operators in the state are to
19:12
be cautious when transacting with police
19:14
officers in unmarked vehicles they must
19:17
ensure the particulars of such policemen
19:19
are taken for record and reference
19:21
purposes before transacting with them
19:24
these are in addition to the immediate
19:26
retraining of personnel across the state
19:28
including area commands and divisions
19:31
the commissioner of police warned that
19:33
any policeman or team found violating
19:35
these directives would be decisively
19:37
dealt with as he directed the ex squad
19:39
to ensure compliance with these
19:42
directives the command is also using
19:44
this medium to appeal to members of the
19:46
public to report any act of extortion
19:49
harassment by policemen to the following
19:51
phone numbers commissioner of Police
19:57
08132919576 Police Public Relations
20:05
0836363531 Public Complaints Bureau PCB
20:12
081599335 Complaints Response Unit
20:19
CRU810389992 Edo State Commissioner of
20:22
police express his renewed commitment to
20:24
protect lives and properties devoid of
20:27
harassment or extortion meanwhile an
20:30
open letter written by Imida Nadalogi
20:32
Steven a Facebook user and a native of
20:35
the state highlighted the pains and
20:37
sufferings people are being subjected to
20:39
by policemen committing the act of
20:41
criminal harassment and extortions in
20:43
the state the Facebook user said "I am
20:46
writing to bring to your attention the
20:48
alarming rate of police extortion and
20:50
brutality in Edeto state these issues
20:53
have severe consequences on the lives of
20:55
citizens undermine trust in law
20:58
enforcement and hinder socioeconomic
21:00
development extortion citizens are
21:03
frequently subjected to unwarranted
21:05
stops searches and demands for bribes
21:09
brutality physical and verbal abuse by
21:12
police officers have become all too
21:14
common fear and trauma the prevalence of
21:17
these issues has instilled fear and
21:19
trauma in the minds of citizens reform
21:23
implement reforms to address systemic
21:25
issues within the police force
21:28
accountability ensure officers are held
21:30
accountable for misconduct training
21:33
provide training on human rights
21:36
community policing and professionalism
21:39
community engagement foster positive
21:41
relationships between police and
21:43
citizens establish oversight bodies
21:46
create independent bodies to investigate
21:49
complaints against police officers
21:51
increase transparency make police
21:54
operations more transparent including
21:56
body cameras and dash cams community
21:59
outreach engage with citizens listen to
22:03
concerns and build trust officer welfare
22:06
improve officer welfare to reduce stress
22:09
and burnout call to action we urge you
22:12
to take immediate action to address
22:14
these issues the people of Edeto state
22:17
deserve a safe and just society where
22:19
law enforcement agencies serve and
22:21
protect with integrity conclusion we
22:24
believe that with your leadership we can
22:26
create a better future for Edo State we
22:29
look forward to seeing tangible reforms
22:32
and actions that prioritize the safety
22:34
and dignity of all citizens
22:36
meeting with the resident
22:38
anti-corruption commissioner of ICPC at
22:40
police headquarters in Benin City Edo
22:43
State the police command pro reported
22:46
that in a bid to enhance inter agency
22:48
collaboration and promote integrity in
22:50
the fight against corruption the Edo
22:53
state commissioner of police CP Monday
22:55
Abonikica FDC played host to the
22:58
resident anti-corruption commissioner of
23:01
the independent corrupt practices and
23:03
other related offenses commission ICPC c
23:06
Mrs aoj Primo at the command
23:08
headquarters in Benin City on Wednesday
23:12
2025 during the visit Mrs primo
23:16
solicited collaboration and cooperation
23:18
from the Edeto State Police Command
23:20
emphasizing the importance of synergy
23:22
between agencies in tackling corruption
23:24
and other related offenses cp Abonikica
23:28
in his response assured the ICPC
23:31
resident commissioner of the necessary
23:33
support and cooperation from the police
23:35
command the commissioner of police
23:37
reiterated his commitment to upholding
23:40
the highest standards of integrity and
23:42
professionalism in the discharge of
23:44
duties by police officers in the state
23:47
he also expressed his willingness to
23:49
work closely with the ICPC and other
23:51
anti-corruption agencies to ensure a
23:54
corruptionfree policing environment in
23:56
Edo State in another news the police
23:59
spokesperson issued a photos press
24:01
release and said the commissioner of
24:03
police Edo State Command CP Monday
24:06
Abonikica FDC accompanied by the deputy
24:09
commissioner of police in charge of
24:11
operations DCP Benjamin Abang the
24:14
divisional police officer DPO Evu
24:21
IA and the officer in charge of marine
24:24
police Benin CSP courage Bonwin on a
24:27
strategic visit to Galagelle Riverine
24:29
area in Ovia northeast local government
24:32
area of Edeto state bordering delta kogi
24:35
andondo states the visit was aimed at
24:39
identifying flash points that criminals
24:41
may take advantage of and to work out
24:44
strategies to ensure a safer environment
24:47
for residents and preventing any
24:51
who are bringing you the news in a more
