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, Oluwatosin Ajayi, calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the President of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, Olorogun Ese Kakor, over alleged forgery of official government documents.

In a statement on Monday by the governor?s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo accused Kakor of criminally forging documents purportedly authorising the NBM to carry out renovation works in schools across the Edo South Senatorial District.

The governor described the alleged act as a ?fraudulent and criminal assault? on the integrity of the state?s administrative processes.

According to the governor, the forgery was perpetrated in connivance with some low-level civil servants who have since been identified, taken into custody, and are currently under investigation.

?As Edo State Governor, I am calling on the Inspector-General of Police and the DSS Director General to initiate the immediate arrest and prosecution of the President of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, Olorogun Ese Kakor, over the forgery of official state government documents,? Governor Okpebholo said.

He vowed that anyone found culpable in the alleged forgery ring would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Additionally, the governor revealed that the land title for the NBM headquarters in Edo State had been revoked due to the organisation?s alleged involvement in violent and unlawful activities.

He reiterated that the state would not tolerate criminal enclaves disguised as social organisations.

The latest development comes amid growing concerns over cult-related violence and killings in the state.

The Edo State Government said it had already commenced legal consultations to initiate action against the Neo Black Movement, citing public admissions by individuals claiming leadership roles within the group and openly condemning the recent demolition of a building linked to their operations.

?The building in question was not just a regular structure; it was a hub for planning and executing violent attacks across Benin metropolis and other parts of Edo State,? Itua stated. ?No responsible government will allow such criminal enclaves to flourish.?

The state government said the demolition was based on credible intelligence and carried out in line with the Anti-Cultism Law passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

Reacting to the NBM?s recent claim that it had renovated six public schools in the state since Okpebholo assumed office, the government demanded full transparency, including a public list of the schools, evidence of the renovations, and official documentation of government approval.

?Failure to provide this information will result in immediate legal action for defamation, misrepresentation, and unauthorised interference with public infrastructure,? the statement warned.

To further assert its resolve, the government announced plans to construct a divisional police station on the land where the demolished cult-linked structure once stood, establishing a permanent security presence in the area.

?More demolitions of buildings and properties linked to cultists and their criminal networks will follow,? Itua said. ?The Okpebholo-led administration is determined to sanitise Edo State of all forms of cultism.?

Governor Okpebholo reiterated his neutrality and denied any association with cult groups, past or present, stressing that his administration is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of Edo residents.

?Let it be made unequivocally clear: Edo State is not, and will never be, a safe haven for cultists. Anyone involved in cult-related activities is advised to cease and desist or relocate elsewhere,? he warned.

He concluded by affirming that the state?s Anti-Cultism Law remains in full force and will be rigorously enforced. (The PUNCH)

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