Friday, July 17, 2026

Edo govt threatens legal action against Neo Black Movement

The Edo government has warned and begun consultations for legal action against the Neo Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, over the spate of killings and cult-related violence.

• May 12, 2025
BLACK AXE
BLACK AXE [Photo Credit: FAZ]

The Edo government has warned and begun consultations for legal action against the Neo Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, over the spate of killings and cult-related violence.

The government said this in a statement on Monday.

The government’s decisions followed public admission by leaders of the group, who opposed the lawful demolition of a building allegedly connected to violent cult-related activities.

He noted that publicly opposing the demolished structure confirmed their association with criminal acts orchestrated in the building, thereby opening themselves to investigation and prosecution under state laws.

“The demolished building functioned as a hub for planning and execution of violent attacks across Benin and beyond. The government cannot allow such structures to exist unchallenged.

“The demolition was a lawful response based on intelligence executed in accordance with the Anti-cultism law passed by the Edo House of Assembly,” the statement explained.

In response to the group’s claim of renovating six schools since Governor Monday Okpebholo’s tenure, the statement said the government demanded an official list, documents, and authorisation proof of such schools.

”Failure to comply will attract legal action for defamation and unauthorised infrastructural interference. To ensure continued peace, the state government will build a divisional police station on the demolished site to deter crime and enhance security within the affected area.

“More demolitions of cult-related buildings will follow. The administration, backed by anti-cultism legislation, remains firm in cleansing the state of criminal cult operations and violent networks,” the Edo government added. “Edo will never be a haven for cultists. All involved are advised to desist immediately, relocate, or face severe consequences.”

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Xi Jinping

World

Chinese President Xi seeks global cooperation to build artificial intelligence governance system

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged nations to build a just and equitable global artificial intelligence governance system.

TD Bank building

Anti-Corruption

TD Bank insiders facilitating money laundering, fraud jailed 70 months

During the money-laundering scheme, 1,680 official bank checks were processed at TD Bank, totalling more than $92 million.

cassava farmer

States

Ogun, IFAD distribute agricultural inputs to 2,740 cassava farmers

The distribution was done under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Jumoke Oduwole

Africa

FG pushes free movement to boost trade in Africa

The minister said easier movement of people, goods and investments remained crucial to unlocking opportunities under the AfCFTA.

FRSC

NationWide

FRSC inaugurates special enforcement to reduce crashes

The exercise, approved by the RS6 zonal command, will run from July 20 to July 22 in Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states.

NDLEA

NationWide

NDLEA declares suspected drug kingpin, three accomplices wanted, freezes N9.8 billion

The suspects, Nnamuka Uchenna, Emmanuella Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi and Ekechi Chijioke, are also wanted for alleged drug production and money laundering linked to the illicit operation.